The
President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR
MEDAL to
STAFF SERGEANT CHARLES E. STRICKLAND
UNITED
STATES MARINE CORPS
For
service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a
Platoon Commander with Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine
Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic
of Vietnam. On 19 June 1969, Staff Sergeant Strickland’s platoon was serving
as point element during a company-sized search and destroy operation eight miles
east of An Hoa in Quang Nam Province when the Marines came under intense machine
gun and automatic weapons fire from an estimated enemy squad defending what
appeared to be an extensive base camp. Skillfully maneuvering his men to prevent
the North Vietnamese from breaking contact, Staff Sergeant Strickland
unhesitatingly advanced to within hand grenade range of the enemy where he could
better observe the situation and direct the efforts of his platoon. Although
painfully wounded by grenade fragments, he fearlessly led an aggressive assault
through the heavy volume of fire, personally killing a North Vietnamese Army
officer. As a result of his heroic and bold actions, the enemy position was
overrun, resulting in the capture of a pistol, six rifles, two submachine guns
and light machine gun. By his courage, bold leadership and steadfast devotion to
duty at great personal risk, Staff Sergeant Strickland inspired all who observed
him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United
States Naval Service.
FOR
THE PRESIDENT,
H.
W. BUSE, JR.
LIEUTENANT
GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING
GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC