The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Christopher A. Charo, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Heavy Weapons Squad Leader in Company D, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, in action in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan, on 31 July 2007. Staff Sergeant Charo’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
On 31 July 2007, at approximately 1330 Zulu, the Seray Vehicle Patrol Base came under enemy attack. The attack was highly coordinated with Anti-Coalition Militia (ACM) positioned on all surrounding hilltops. The enemy initiated their attack with a 107-mm. rocket, immediately followed with RPG volleys, PKM and RPK machine gun fire, and AK47 assault rifle sprays from distances as close as 300 meters. Immediately after the first round was fired, the VPB returned fire with all organic heavy weapons as well as 81-mm. and 120-mm. mortars. All weapons were firing at a rapid to cyclic rate causing a MK-19 to malfunction at Position One in the VPB. Several attempts to repair the weapon were made, but with no resolve. Staff Sergeant Charo, who was running from position to position under heavy fire, with little or no cover to obtain status reports, could see that Position One was taking extremely effective fire due to the malfunctioning MK-19. Staff Sergeant Charo, with total disregard for his own well being, maneuvered through the rocky terrain of the VPB and through a constant hail of bullets and RPGs to position one in order to get that position back into the fight and attempt to obtain fire superiority. As soon as Staff Sergeant Charo arrived at the position, he immediately began firing the M-240B machine gun from a location with little or no cover at enemy fighting positions all while giving commands to the Soldiers at Position One. As Staff Sergeant Charo unleashed effective fires on the enemy position, he coached the MK-19 gunner through correcting his weapon’s malfunction. Staff Sergeant Charo fired so many M-240B rounds that he needed to change the weapon’s barrel. Upon giving the M-240B Assistant Gunner the order to bring him the spare barrel, he was informed that the spare barrel had been left in another truck. Immediately, he ordered one Soldier to relieve him on the M-240B while he went to retrieve the spare barrel. In one of the most heroic acts ever seen, Staff Sergeant Charo, with rounds impacting all around him, maneuvered to retrieve the spare barrel. With rounds directly impacting his location inches from his body, he got the spare barrel and maneuvered back to the M-240B gunner. Staff Sergeant Charo began to distribute ammo and spot rounds while telling the Javelin Gunner to engage another separate enemy position that he has spotted. At this time, Staff Sergeant Charo heard Staff Sergeant Upp yell “incoming,” and took cover. In less than 3 seconds, another 107-mm. rocket landed five meters in front of the .50 caliber truck and about 10 meters from Staff Sergeant Charo’s position. Staff Sergeant Charo quickly recovered and immediately checked on the gunner of the .50 caliber truck for any possible injuries. Once he insured the Soldiers at the .50 caliber truck were not injured by the blast, Staff Sergeant Charo moved under fire to the Ammo Supply Point in order to retrieve another missile for the Javelin. After acquiring the missile for the javelin from the ASP, Staff Sergeant Charo ran to Specialist Geopfert’s location in the middle of the road to help him reload and fire the missile. Throughout the fight, Staff Sergeant Charo helped Sergeant Charles and his Squad at Position One control and maximize their fires. During the one hour and fifteen minute fire fight, the VPB took two friendly casualties, First Lieutenant Hall and Staff Sergeant Upp. First Lieutenant Hall was moved into the CCP, where Staff Sergeant Charo, who is a qualified EMT, assisted the medic in rendering aid to First Lieutenant Hall. Staff Sergeant Charo and the medic made every attempt to save First Lieutenant Hall. In doing so, Staff Sergeant Charo and the medic were able to keep First Lieutenant Hall alive for hours beyond any doctor’s expectations. Staff Sergeant Charo continued caring for First Lieutenant Hall until MEDEVAC hoisted both First Lieutenant Hall and Staff Sergeant Upp out of the VPB. Immediately after the MEDEVAC bird lifted, Staff Sergeant Charo took the perimeter to ensure security was back to 100% by redistributing ammunition and ensuring the platoon was scanning their sectors in preparation for a counterattack.