The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Charles A. Withers (MCSN: 2435556), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 12 August 1969, the right flank of the Company B defensive position came under a vicious ground attack from elements of two North Vietnamese Army battalions utilizing mortars, rockets, and rocket-propelled grenades. At the same time, Lance Corporal Withers’ squad, which held an outpost west of his platoon, came under a secondary hostile assault and he quickly deployed his men into effective fighting positions to cover anticipated attack routes. Observing twenty-five North Vietnamese Army soldiers approaching his position, Lance Corporal Withers boldly exposed himself to the enemy rounds impacting around him as he directed the accurate fire of his Marines against the advancing enemy. Although vastly outnumbered and fully aware of the possible consequences of his actions, Lance Corporal Withers resolutely refused to withdraw and, boldly moving across the fire-swept terrain, shouted instructions and encouragement to his men as he conducted a vigorous defense of his important vantage point. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his accounting for fifteen enemy soldiers killed and the denial of important terrain to the North Vietnamese Army unit. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger Lance Corporal Withers contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his units mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.