The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Charles L. Wolff (MCSN: 302075), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands on August 27, 1942. While a company of Marines was engaged in flanking an enemy installation on the northern coast of the island, the First Platoon of Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division came under tremendous fire from hostile snipers and machine gun emplacements. At the height of action when a live hand grenade thrown by the enemy landed within a few feet of two officers who were directing the advance, Corporal Wolff, with extraordinary coolness and presence of mind, sprang out of a position of comparative safety, ran a gantlet of hazardous fire and smothered the explosive missile with the butt of his rifle. Although he himself sustained severe shrapnel wounds in his left thigh and shoulder he undoubtedly prevented serious injury to the officers and two other men stationed in the vicinity of the discharged grenade. His courageous initiative in risking his own life for the safety of his companions was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.