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 Captain (Infantry) Charles Milton Beacham, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near San Pietro, Italy, on 15 December 1943. Captain Beacham’s company was assigned the mission of leading a battalion assault against strongly fortified enemy positions in the vicinity of San Pietro Heights. The attack was launched under intense concentrations of enemy artillery and mortar fire. While personally leading the assault across exposed terrain, Captain Beacham was wounded in the face by shell fragments, but he dauntlessly continued to press the attack until his leading platoons became pinned down by extremely heavy machine gun fire. His radio operator became a casualty, and Captain Beacham took over the radio and kept his battalion commander informed of the situation until blood from his head wounds seeped into the instrument and impaired its operation. Still refusing aid, Captain Beacham, moving over fire-swept terrain, reorganized his men and prepared to resume the attack. Another shell sprayed his entire body with fragments. Weakened from the loss of blood, he turned the company over to his executive. He refused to be carried from the field, but aided another wounded officer and two wounded men through the heavy fire to the battalion aid station. Captain Beacham’s outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.