The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Sergeant Charles L. Buckner (MCSN: 225252), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Leader of Amphibious Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy-held Guam, Mariana Islands, from 25 to 28 July 1944. When the hostile forces attacked our lines in an all-out effort to break through on the night of 25 July, First Sergeant Buckner proceeded from foxhole to foxhole despite the fact that he was the target of enemy fire and inspired his men in repulsing the hostile attack in their sector. During the following day, when our advance was held up by an enemy fieldpiece that had our forces pinned down and was inflicting heavy casualties, he voluntarily exposed himself to the hostile fire to move to the crest of an adjacent ridge, where he set up a machine-gun and directed its fire at the enemy gun, dispersing its crew and allowing our forces to advance with a minimum of casualties. Wounded two days later while leading his platoon in an advance through intense sniper fire, he remained with his men despite his injuries until ordered to the hospital by a medical officer. His valiant leadership, cool courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.