The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (air Corps) Charles W. Peterson (ASN: 0-430843), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane of the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Buna, New Guinea, on 25 August 1942. Lieutenant Peterson was Pilot of a P-40 type aircraft that departed its home base on a mission to strafe the Japanese base at Buna. Visibility over the mountains and jungle was so poor that Lieutenant Peterson’s flight became separated from the rest of the formation. Without the support of the majority of the formation, he followed his flight leader over the target at low altitude to strafe grounded enemy aircraft and a heavy anti-aircraft position. The flight to and from the target was made in adverse weather that made formation flying extremely hazardous. The ability and courage displayed by Lieutenant Peterson on these missions was in accord with the finest traditions of the United States Army Air Corps.