The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Charles M. Thatcher, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 30 July 1864, while serving with Company B, 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, in action at Petersburg, Virginia. Instead of retreating or surrendering when the works were captured, regardless of his personal safety, Private Thatcher continued to return the enemy’s fire until he was captured.