The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Charles B. Seminara (MCSN: 1364958), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company E, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 10 August 1969, during Operation IDAHO CANYON, Staff Sergeant Seminara’s platoon was occupying a defensive position northwest of the Vandegrift Combat Base in Quang Tri Province when the Marines came under a vicious ground attack by a North Vietnamese Army company. In the initial moments of the fierce assault, Staff Sergeant Seminara was seriously wounded but, realizing the seriousness of the situation, ignored his painful injury as he boldly moved across the fire-swept terrain to shout instructions to his men and direct their suppressive fire on the determined enemy. Observing that several casualties lay in dangerously exposed positions, he completely disregarded the possibility of sustaining further injury as he fearlessly moved the wounded men to covered positions. Noting that one sector of the defensive perimeter was undermanned and in imminent danger of hostile penetration, Staff Sergeant Seminara displayed vast tactical skill as he quickly reinforced the point with Marines from a less-contested area and, by this action, prevented the enemy from overrunning the platoon. As he dauntlessly patrolled his unit’s defensive perimeter to ensure that every possible avenue of approach was effectively covered with fire power, he sighted a grenade land in proximity to a machine gunner. With no though for the probable consequences of his actions, he raced to the man’s position and was able to shout a warning to his companion before being mortally wounded by the detonation of the lethal object. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the defeat of the North Vietnamese Army force. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Seminara upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.