The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Charles Francis Brown (NSN: 5952536), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against while serving as a Corpsman attached to Company M, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, on 28 January 1967, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a search and clear mission in enemy controlled territory near Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province during Operation DESOTO, Hospital Corpsman Brown’s company was advancing toward a tree line when the lead platoon came under heavy enemy machine gun fire. As a result of the heavy volume of enemy fire, the numerically superior Viet Cong force temporarily pinned down the point squad and inflicted numerous Marine casualties. In the initial burst of fire, two Corpsmen were killed, leaving Hospital Corpsman Brown to administer medical aid to the wounded without assistance. Displaying exceptional professional skill, he quickly treated the wounded as they were brought to his covered position in a nearby stone house. Subsequently, when his medical supplies became dangerously low, Hospital Corpsman Brown completely disregarded his own safety by advancing thirty meters through intense enemy fire to retrieve a medical kit from a mortally wounded Corpsman. Observing that several seriously wounded Marines were lying exposed to continuous enemy fire, he ignored the hostile rounds striking around him and ministered to them before returning to assist other casualties who were located in covered positions. During the ensuing fire fight, he completed five trips under vicious enemy fire to administer life-saving first aid to his wounded comrades. His daring and heroic actions undoubtedly saved numerous lives and inspired all who observed him. By his bold initiative, courage in the face of enemy fire, outstanding professionalism and selfless devotion to duty throughout, Hospital Corpsman Brown upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.