The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Charles W. Cheatham (MCSN: 0-89036), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Battery Executive Officer of Battery I, Third Battalion, Twelfth Marines, on 28 and 29 July 1966, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During Operation HASTINGS, First Lieutenant Cheatham was engaged in action in the defense of the Battery position in the forward area of an infantry battalion command post. The site was densely vegetated and bordered by a cliff with an attendant stream bed abutting the rear portion of the Battery defensive perimeter. The route was ideal for the ensuing Viet Cong attack as it severely limited observation and maneuverability of defending Marines and prevented the coordination of friendly firepower. To circumvent the limited observation and to overcome the adverse terrain conditions, Fist Lieutenant Cheatham on three occasions gallantly withstood intense automatic weapons fire and bursting grenades to direct counter fire against the vicious Viet Cong attack. He repeatedly exposed himself to heavy fire during the initial attack on the evening of 28 July and again during the second attack the following morning. When he appeared to be the prime target of enemy grenades and automatic weapons fire. Later, when it appeared that the enemy might breach the perimeter defense, he personally directed artillery fire upon the enemy from a howitzer position on which the Viet Cong had concentrated all their fire power. His aggressiveness, gallantry and instantaneous responses were determining factors in the decimation of the Viet Cong attacks. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Cheatham upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.