The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Charles R. Patton (ASN: 0-726015), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Bombardier/Navigator of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber in the Northwest African Strategic Air Force, in aerial operations in the North Africa Theater of Operations, on 20 April 1943. Lieutenant Patton was in a formation which had as an objective the bombing of an enemy airdrome in the Tunis area. Very intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered over the target and the ship in which Lieutenant Patton was flying was badly riddled with shell fragments, injuring three members of the crew. Unable to drop his bombs because the hydraulic system had been disrupted, Lieutenant Patton rushed back from his bombardier’s position to render aid to the other crew members. He found the pilot and co-pilot struggling with the crippled ship which had one engine out, the controls badly damaged, and the hydraulic system shot out. Then, Lieutenant Patton, knowing the condition of the crippled ship which was steadily loosing altitude, took off his parachute and climbed back over the narrow passage-way over the bomb-bay to administer first aid to the upper gunner who had been very severely injured by flak in the face and head and was bleeding profusely. Having attended the wounded gunner and seated him in a safe place, Lieutenant Patton helped the other injured crew members. Those courageous deeds and disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.