Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Private Charles R. Middaugh (ASN: 6498986), United States Army, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, displayed while serving with Headquarters Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, at about 5 p.m. on 5 September 1926, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Private Middaugh, acting on his own initiative and with utter disregard for his own safety, entered a building seized and disarmed an enlisted man, who, with suicidal intent, was firing his rifle indiscriminately in all directions, endangering life in camp. In the encounter Private Middaugh was painfully injured when struck with the butt of the rifle.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    18th Air Base Squadron

    Division:

    7th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 7, 1941
    Headquarters, VII Bomber Command, General Orders No. 11 (March 23, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Charles Roscoe Rooseveldt Middaugh (ASN: 6498986), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism in action while serving with the 18th Air Base Squadron, SEVENTH Air Force, during the attack on Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii, by Japanese forces (aircraft) on 7 December 1941. Staff Sergeant Middaugh was a gunner on a .30 caliber machine gun during the second raid on Hickam Field. As a Japanese plane headed straight for his gun position, Staff Sergeant Middaugh took the plane under fire. Staff Sergeant Middaugh knew he was making direct hits through the use of tracer bullets. Smoke trailed from the plane which banked over Pearl Harbor and flew toward Barbers Point, appearing to be out of control. The heroism, devotion to duty and spirit of self-sacrifice displayed by Staff Sergeant Middaugh on this occasion reflected great credit upon himself and the military service.