The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Charles Stenson, Canadian Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 1st Special Service Force. On 18 September 1944, Sergeant Stenson was a member of a seven-man volunteer patrol, the first to enter Brest, with the mission of contacting the enemy and locating his whereabouts and strength. About 800 yards from the line of departure and in the center of the city, the patrol came under crossed machine-gun fire. The patrol leader and first scout were pinned down in a bomb crater. A German hand grenade was thrown in the direction of the bomb crater, at which time Sergeant Stenson, with complete disregard of personal safety, exposed himself, picked up the grenade and threw it back in the direction of the enemy. He then laid down covering fire in an attempt to get the trapped men out. His fire forced the gun to withdraw, leaving the trapped men in a much safer position. Sergeant Stenson then returned to the battalion where he led another patrol and demolished another gun. His patrol then proceeded on its alternate mission of locating the enemy. Sergeant Stenson again showed courage by personally entering a tunnel and capturing 127 prisoners. His action reflected great credit upon himself and the military service.