The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Charles Henry Black (MCSN: 0-62737), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Operations Officer of the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 6 September 1967, while Major Black’s unit was attacking enemy positions in the vicinity of Vinh Huy (3) during Operation SWIFT, a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force launched a determined and coordinated counterattack. In the ensuing engagement, two companies became separated, resulting in an opening in the battalion’s perimeter. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Major Black disregarded his own safety and fearlessly maneuvered through the intense enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire to organize a force to close the dangerous gap. Alertly observing a well camouflaged North Vietnamese squad size unit attempting to penetrate the Marine lines, he courageously attacked the hostile force and, throwing grenades and firing his pistol and a grenade launcher, succeeded in killing three of the enemy soldiers, which repulsed the attack. While directing the securing of the opening in the lines, Major Black observed several wounded Marines lying in an area dangerously exposed to the enemy fire. Again disregarding his own safety, he ignored the heavy volume of hostile fire and repeatedly moved across the fire-swept terrain to carry the casualties to a place of relative safety where they could receive medical treatment. Only after assuring himself that the dangerous situation had been corrected and that the enemy force had been successfully repulsed, did he return to the battalion command post. His heroic and timely actions contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous Marines. By his selfless courage, superb leadership and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Major Black was an inspiration to all who served with him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.