The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Charles Ralph Greer, Jr., United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on 15 May 1975. On that date, Lieutenant Greer, Aircraft commander of an HH-53C helicopter of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, landed his aircraft on the beach of the heavily defended island in an attempt to rescue fellow airmen. Although the aircraft was under continuous intensive hostile ground fire, he remained in a dangerously exposed position until it was evident that no possibility of successful rescue existed. This courageous action aided in the recovery of the S.S. Mayaguez and its crew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Greer has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.