The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Charles O. Powley (MCSN: 319827), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as scout serving with the Intelligence Section of the First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the battle of Piva Forks, Bougainville, Solomon Islands on November 22, 1943. When the enemy attempted an envelopment of his battalion’s right flank, Private First Class Powley unhesitatingly proceeded to the area in the face of a heavy Japanese artillery bombardment to reconnoiter and upon reaching the battle line was severely injured in the leg by a shell fragment. After applying a tourniquet to the wound he valiantly continued with his mission and upon approaching one of our machine guns with its entire crew killed or wounded, courageously manned the weapon single-handedly, directing enfilade fire on the Japanese until the attempted encirclement had been repulsed. Private First Class Powley’s daring initiative, valiant fighting spirit and unflinching devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were contributing factors in the success of our forces in that area and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.