The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Charles J. Akers (MCSN: 405564), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rocket Grenadier of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 17 September 1944. When his company was pinned down by heavy fire from a mountain gun emplaced in a cave, Private First Class Akers voluntarily and courageously advanced through intense hostile mortar, artillery and small arms fire to a position forward of our lines and close to the enemy guns. Boldly occupying this exposed position, he deliberately fired six rockets into the enemy emplacement and succeeded in annihilating the crew and silencing the hostile weapon. By his heroic action, Private First Class Akers prevented his company from sustaining further heavy casualties. His bravery, daring initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.