The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Charles E. McEwen, Jr. (MCSN: 251039), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a member of Battery A, Fourth Special Weapons Battalion, Special Troops, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Marshall Islands Area on 12 February 1944. During a severe bombing attack by enemy aircraft, Gunnery Sergeant McEwen bravely left his place of shelter to safeguard vehicles and antiaircraft guns located within seventy-five yards of an exploding and burning ammunition dump. By his outstanding courage, daring initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave danger, Gunnery Sergeant McEwen was greatly instrumental in saving large quantities of materiel from destruction by fire and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.