The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Charles J. Menichini (ASN: 33610316), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Service Company, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the Philippine Islands, on 28 April 1945. While acting as a scout for an advancing squad of riflemen near Baguio, Private First Class Menichini was suddenly fired upon from a hillside cave. He immediately ran forward, tossed a grenade into the cave, and then dashed on inside to kill two Japanese. A few minutes later he observed an enemy light machine gun, calmly killed the gunner with one shot from his rifle, and then killed a second Japanese who attempted to crawl forward and put the gun back into action. At that time, tanks moved forward to support the foot troops. Despite the fact that enemy machine gun fire was now sweeping the entire hillside, Private First Class Menichini courageously dashed from one position to another marking the best targets for our armored forcers with smoke grenades. His gallant actions enabled the tanks to quickly destroy three enemy pillboxes and allowed the advance of our forces to continue. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Menichini, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.