The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Charles E. Phelps, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a B-26 Invader Attack Bomber of the 3d Bombardment Group (Light), FIFTH Air Force. On the night of 1 October 1952, Lieutenant Phelps displayed outstanding airmanship and flying ability while on an armed reconnaissance over vital enemy rail lines. Five enemy locomotives and numerous boxcars were sighted and immediately taken under attack in a series of low level bombing and strafing passes. These aggressive and highly successful attacks by Lieutenant Phelps and his crew resulted in the destruction of two locomotives and eleven boxcars and extensive damage to one locomotive and ten boxcars by fire and explosion. Through his personal courage and keen flying skill in this attack near heavily fortified enemy positions, Lieutenant Phelps deprived the enemy of vital rail transportation facilities and equipment, and reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.