The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Charles Malcolm Avery (AFSN: FR-13399), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Aircraft Commander of a UC-123 aircraft of the 12th Air Commando Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Forces, while conducting aerial defoliation operations in a valley near Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 July 1967. On that date, Colonel Avery, flying his UC-123 (Defoliation) aircraft as number three in a three-ship formation, encountered intense hostile fire which caused the lead aircraft to sustain a runaway propeller on its right engine. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Colonel Avery moved his aircraft into a protective shield position immediately below the lead aircraft’s left wing and remaining engine. By this action Colonel Avery’s aircraft sustained additional hits and shrapnel fire from two rifle grenades. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Colonel Avery has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.