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 Airman Second Class Charles K. Hanson, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an HU-16 Pararescue Specialist near hostile shores in the Gulf of Tonkin on 12 February 1967. On that date, after his aircraft had deliberately been flown in a decoy pattern to draw hostile fire from shore batteries away from the location of a survivor and then landed in a hail of small arms, automatic, mortar and anti-aircraft fire, Airman Hanson fearlessly exposed himself by swimming to the survivor and returning him safely to the aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Hanson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.