The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Charles Thompson Horner, Jr. (ASN: 0-23530), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 29 July 1943 near Troina, Sicily. On at least two occasions during the battle for the city of Troina, by his magnificent personal leadership and incomparable bravery, he inspired and rallied the members of his command so that they were enabled to seize and retain their hard won objectives. In the final assault on the city, Lieutenant Colonel Horner, with rifle in hand, personally led his men up the towering sides of the mountain guarding this bristling fortress and in the heat of the salvage battle for the city, so inspired his men by his example of bravery that they pressed on in the face of tremendous odds to take their final objective and enter the city with Lieutenant Colonel Horner at the front of his battalion. By his outstanding leadership and heroic effort, Major Horner acted in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.