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 Captain (Infantry) Charles Joseph Bowers, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Bowers distinguished himself while serving as Senior Advisor to the 1st Battalion, 42d Regiment, 22d Division (ARVN). While on an operation in Kontum Province, the battalion engaged a numerically superior enemy force. During the contact, Captain Bowers exposed himself several times to withering enemy fire and directed supporting helicopter gunships and jets in order to inflict casualties on the enemy. After 20 hours of continuous assaults, the enemy broke through the outer perimeter and attacked the battalion headquarters. Captain Bowers rallied personnel in the area and led two successful efforts to repel the enemy. Realizing that the position would soon be overrun, he made plans with the battalion commander for an attempted breakout. He and approximately twenty others succeeded in breaking contact and moved into the enemy-infested triple-canopy jungle. During the day, his group made contact with hostile forces, and several men were wounded. That night, after breaking contact, Captain Bowers contacted a medevac helicopter and directed it through the darkness to pick up three of the wounded. Despite small arms fire directed at the aircraft, he exposed his position to direct the aircraft to the landing site. As the evacuation was completed, hostile forces again attacked the group. Captain Bowers gathered his group, successfully broke contact and led the remaining personnel to a safer position. After three days of evading the enemy, the group encountered friendly forces and were evacuated. Captain Bowers’ 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.