The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Charles M. Freeman (MCSN: 0-8601), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as member of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), during action against enemy Japanese forces over the Solomon Islands from 20 August to 9 November 1942. Participating in numerous offensive and defensive flight missions throughout the far-flung battle zone, Second Lieutenant Freeman, with cool courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety, shot four hostile planes out of the sky and destroyed a fifth on the ground. In addition to pressing home vigorous attacks against Japanese warships and shore-based anti-aircraft installations, he took part in the successful interception of heavily escorted waves of invading bombers. On one occasion, while escorting our bombers over an enemy task force, he and his flight destroyed nine Japanese planes and, by severely strafing hostile anti-aircraft batteries, diminished their fire to a point where our bombers could fly in and obtain direct hits on one cruiser and three destroyers. His expert airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.