The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Charles Vargo (MCSN: 385361), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Guide of Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 16 April 1945. Although wounded while moving up a steep, strongly fortified hostile ridge with his platoon, Corporal Vargo continued to direct the advance of his men for a distance of fifty yards until wounded again. Then, in an effort to bring accurate fire on the enemy, he knelt in an exposed spot almost on top of a hostile gun position and fired over the heads of his men, inflicting many casualties on the enemy and enabling the entire line to advance. When his well-aimed fire was masked by the advance of his own men, Corporal Vargo again moved forward to his position as platoon guide on the line and directed the fire of his platoon until the hill was secured. His indomitable fighting spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.