The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Charles Edward Bergman (NSN: 8089851), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as a Corpsman attached to a Rifle Company of the First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 25 February to 7 March 1945. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Bergman, a Corpsman attached to a Rifle Assault Platoon, displayed outstanding courage under heavy fire. On 25 February 1945, the platoon with which he was serving was pinned down by extremely heavy machine gun, rifle and mortar fire. One squad from the platoon had advanced beyond the other squads when the enemy fire became so intense that no one was able to move. One man was seriously wounded by enemy mortar fire, and Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Bergman immediately went to his aid, disregarding the intense enemy barrage and the fact that there was no covered route to the man. Upon reaching the wounded man Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Bergman found that the enemy fire was so great that he would have to treat the man while lying on his side. Having treated the man, he had to remain there until darkness. On 7 March 1945, during a daylight attack, his platoon was again pinned down by intense enemy fire. Several men were wounded and killed by an enemy machine gun firing in a fire lane directly into the platoon front. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Bergman moved out, without cover, to the side of these seriously wounded men and administered first aid. His heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.