The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Charles L. Denton, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, 3d Tank Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, during Operation STARLITE in the Republic of Vietnam, on 18 August 1965. While engaged in an attack against determined, well entrenched insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces, Corporal Denton's tank was hit by an enemy anti-tank rocket. As a result of the hit, Corporal Denton, his platoon commander and the tank's gunner were wounded and the tank was set afire. With complete disregard for his own wound and the intense enemy fire, he climbed out of the turret and assisted his seriously injured Platoon Commander to a position of relative safety. Realizing that the burning tank was a hazard to the wounded Marines in close proximity to it, Corporal Denton returned through the heavy enemy mortar and small arms fire to the tank. Boldly utilizing hand and arm signals while in a completely exposed area, he successfully guided the tank to a protected position where the fire could be extinguished. Once again returning to the open area, Corporal Denton assisted in evacuating the numerous wounded. Having completed this task, he selflessly refused to be evacuated and returned to his tank. By his heroic actions and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Corporal Denton was instrumental in saving the lives and reducing the suffering of several wounded Marines, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

Cpl  Charles L. Denton

United States Marine Corps

For service as set forth in the following

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