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 Sergeant Charles J. Rouhier, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 27 December 1972. On that date, Sergeant Rouhier, a Flight Engineer on an HH-53C rescue helicopter, voluntarily flew into an extremely hostile and heavily defended area to attempt the rescue of a downed American airman. Despite intense ground fire being directed at his hovering helicopter, Sergeant Rouhier stood in the unprotected crew door in order to locate the survivor and then lowered the rescue device. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Rouhier has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.