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 H. Vogel (ASN: 32797745), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Normandy, France, 11 July 1944. Private Vogel volunteered as a member of a four-man patrol assigned the mission of destroying an enemy machine gun emplacement in a hedgerow to the front which was retarding the advance of his company. Advancing through a heavy artillery barrage, and in spite of tremendous odds, the patrol succeeded in reaching its objective, destroying the machine gun nest, killing two of the enemy and wounding two others. As the men were seeking to return to their organization with the prisoners, Private Vogel was killed by an enemy artillery shell. His gallantry in action, devotion to duty, and coolness under fire reflects credit upon his character as a soldier and is in accord with the highest traditions of the military service.