The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Charles E. Massie (ASN: RA-15266684), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery A, 503d Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 27 November 1950 in the vicinity of Somin-dong, Korea. On that date a strong enemy force penetrated the defenses of his unit and attacked the battery from the rear. Intense enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire forced most of the men to take cover in trenches, from where they directed small arms fire upon the advancing enemy. Sergeant Massie, with complete disregard for his personal safety, left his protective cover and assumed an exposed position by his 155-mm. howitzer. Although his howitzer was truck repeatedly by enemy fire, he held his ground and called for volunteers to man the weapon. His intrepidity and indifference to the danger confronting him cause a rally among his comrades. Under his command the howitzer was turned in the direction of the attacking enemy for direct fire. Firing white phosphorous ammunition at point blank range his hastily formed crew succeeded in halting the hostile attack, forcing the enemy to withdraw in confusion and inflicting severe casualties upon them. The gallantry and inspirational leadership displayed on this occasion by Sergeant Massie reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.