The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Charles L. Donaldson (ASN: 37242261), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, Germany, on 27 March 1945. When his platoon was pinned down in an open field by enemy machine gun and automatic weapons fire, Private Donaldson, a platoon runner, exposed himself to the fury of the enemy fire and made his way across the exposed terrain to within fifty yards of the enemy emplacements, from which position he killed the enemy machine gunner and forced the remaining members of the crew to evacuate the position, thereby allowing his platoon to advance and secure the objective. Private Donaldson’s courageous initiative and gallantry reflect credit upon his character and training as a soldier.