The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Charles C. Arndt (MCSN: 265328), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Regimental Intelligence Observer of the Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during attacks against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the nights of 12 and 18 August 1942. When his patrol was ambushed by greatly superior forces, Sergeant Arndt courageously and fearlessly broke through the enemy lines, plunged into the sea, swam nearly 600 yards and then proceeded barefoot over coral reefs for two miles in an attempt to bring aid to his beleaguered comrades. Throughout this action he was continuously hunted and fired upon by enemy patrols. On the second occasion when his men were again surrounded by Japanese during the fight in the village of Matanikau, Sergeant Arndt, with utter disregard for his personal safety, swam out to sea to contact the artillery fire control boat for assistance. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.