After completing four years U.S. Army enlisted service, Colonel Charles P. Tappero was commissioned in the USAF. He spent more than 24 years in Combat Control serving as the commander of the JSOC special tactics unit and commander of the combat control squadron in theater during Desert Storm.
Sponsored by:
Charles
P.
Tappero
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
SergeantRegiment:
52d Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Cavalry DivisionAction Date:
April 30, 1968
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 Sergeant Charles P. Tappero, United States Army, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while serving with the 52d Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. While conducting a reconnaissance patrol on 30 April 1968, in the Ah Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, Sergeant Tappero’s five man squad engaged a large enemy re-supply operation. During the close quarters fire fight two soldiers were severely wounded. Ignoring his own wounds, Sergeant Tappero repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire while carrying the two wounded men to a defensive position. He then proceeded to call in air strikes within twenty five meters of his location that were credited with disrupting a major enemy re-supply effort. Sergeant Tappero’s quick thinking and disregard for himself and his safety was instrumental in keeping his two wounded comrades alive until reinforcements and medical evacuation arrived. Sergeant Tappero’s heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Unites States Army.