The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Charles E. Potts (MCSN: 313673), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines (Engineer), SECOND Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands on 20 November 1943. With our troops pinned down by the shattering machine gun fire emanating from a strongly fortified Japanese pill box during fierce hostilities on D-Day, Private First Class Potts fearlessly risked his life in an effort to wipe out the emplacement and launching repeated, determined attacks despite the bitter opposition succeeded in neutralizing their fire with well-placed demolition charges thereby enabling our troops to resume the advance. Continuing his same bold tactics he ably assisted in the destruction of four additional emplacements in a later action and contributed materially to the success of our sustained drive toward the capture of this vital hostile stronghold. His daring initiative, dauntless perseverance and constant devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Potts and the United States Naval Service.