The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Charles P. Phelps (ASN: 0-1317666), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with a military operation against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 386th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division. On 16 April 1945, Lieutenant Phelps was selected to reconnoiter, seize and hold sites upon the Wupper River, in Germany, across which a battalion attack could be launched. Fighting their way to the river, Lieutenant Phelps and his men seized two unguarded bridges. After deploying his men to cover the bridge, Lieutenant Phelps fearlessly led four men over the bridge to seize high ground on the far side to protect the bridge site. During this advance he was met with heavy enemy fire from concealed positions and killed. Lieutenant Phelps’ gallantry on this occasion for which he made the supreme sacrifice reflected high credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.