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 Private First Class Charles D. Dean (ASN: US-56404745), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Private First Class Dean distinguished himself by heroic actions on 5 November 1966, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Company A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, was moving through the jungle on a search and destroy mission when they encountered heavy automatic weapons and grenade fire from concealed enemy bunker positions. Disregarding his own personal safety, Private Dean moved forward with the company commander who was charging a bunker with a machine gun. Acting as the assistant gunner, Private Dean fed ammunition to the weapon and then ran through heavy enemy fire to get more ammunition when their supply was exhausted. Through his courageous actions, Private Dean and the company commander were able to overrun the enemy bunker whose deadly fire had killed and wounded many of his comrades. Private Dean’s actions were greatly instrumental in completing the successful operation of Company A. His devotion to duty, aggressiveness, and unimpeachable valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.