The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Private] Charlie G. Cooper (ASN: 18079552), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 12 July 1943, near ****, Sicily. Staff Sergeant Cooper, Bazookaman, after having previously been wounded and refusing evacuation, was manning a vital roadblock when an enemy tank appeared and began shelling his position, causing numerous casualties. Staff Sergeant Cooper immediately crawled from his hole and started across an open field toward the tank. The tank crew switched their fire toward Staff Sergeant Cooper, but he continued to within fifty yards of the tank and made a direct hit on its turret, killing all of the crew. Staff Sergeant Cooper’s quick thinking and cool courage and aggressiveness typified the highest traditions of the American Parachute Infantryman.