The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Specialist Fourth Class Paul David Charles (ASN: US-54438462), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Charles distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 October 1967 while serving as squad leader of an infantry unit on a search and destroy operation in War Zone C. While clearing an area surrounding his unit’s night bivouac, his men were caught in a deadly crossfire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force firing from trees and concealed spider hole emplacements. When he saw his point man seriously wounded, Specialist Charles sprinted through a curtain of fire to reach an aidman and lead him to the wounded soldier. The medic was hit as they reached the casualty, and Specialist Charles shielded both men with his body while delivering lethal rifle fire into the enemy ranks to cover the evacuation of the injured men. After his ammunition was expended, he secured a machine gun and carried it to the front to continue his fearless fight against overwhelming odds. The insurgents concentrated withering fire on his precarious position, but he completely disregarded his personal safety and remained in the open to battle relentlessly against the determined attackers. He saw muzzle flashes from a nearby bunker, crawled across the bullet-swept battlefield, and destroyed the enemy fortification with grenades. Seeing a wounded man trapped in the open, he ran to the casualty and carried him to safety through a hail of bullets. As his unit began a withdrawal, Specialist Charles took up an extremely vulnerable position, and, with a recoilless rifle, he continued his offensive against the fanatical Viet Cong. Exposing himself to the savage barrage time after time, he fought fiercely, employing machine guns, grenades and the recoilless rifle to protect the movement of his men. Painfully wounded, he refused to abandon his hazardous position until the enemy attack abated. As evacuation helicopters arrived, the landing zone was raked by intense enemy fire. Despite his wound and the heavy fusillade, he moved back into the jungle with a grenade launcher and continued his personal assault until the Viet Cong broke contact. Specialist Four Charles’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.