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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Specialist Fourth Class Charles E. Carinder (ASN: US-56583614), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy . Specialist Fourth Class Carinder distinguished himself on 12 August 1968 when he and two companions observed a fellow soldier enter a mine field. Before Specialist Carinder could stop the soldier, he stepped on a mine and was severely wounded. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Specialist Carinder immediately entered the mine field to rescue the injured soldier. Upon reaching the individual, Specialist Carinder assisted his companions in administering first aid. He then carried the injured soldier to a safe area and offered comfort to him until the medical evacuation helicopter arrived to transport the man to medical help. Specialist Carinder’s prompt and courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Specialist Fourth Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion (Airborne)

    Regiment:

    503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Infantry Brigade (Separate)

    Action Date:

    August 21, 1968
    Headquarters, I Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 893 (December 4, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class Charles E. Carinder (ASN: US-56583614), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Fourth Class Carinder distinguished himself by exceptionally gallant actions against an armed hostile force on 21 August 1968, while serving as a combat medic for Company E, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate), near the town of Di Linh, Ham Dong Province, Republic of Vietnam. On this date, at approximately 0930 hours, Specialist Carinder’s unit came under heavy mortar, rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire followed immediately with a ground assault by a numerically superior enemy force. He was wounded in the back by shrapnel early in the battle. Completely disregarding his own painful wounds, Specialist Carinder moved from position to position administering first aid to the wounded. While treating these individuals, he noticed that the enemy was threatening to overrun a portion of the perimeter. Without hesitation, he moved through intense enemy fire toward the threatened portion and rallied the regional forces occupying bunkers in that section to greater efforts in repelling the enemy. Repeatedly exposing himself to the murderous volume of hostile small arms and mortar fire, Specialist Carinder continued to treat the wounded and was again wounded in the back by shrapnel. In spite of the pain endured from the additional wounds, he again refused medical aid for himself. Throughout the entire battle, while jeopardizing his own safety to aid others, Specialist Carinder’s display of personal bravery and dedication to his fellow soldiers was an inspiration to all who observed him. Specialist Carinder’s conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.