Charles D. Barrett Jr.’s Silver Star citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

SECOND LIEUTENANT CHARLES D. BARRETT, JR., USMC.,

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the Third Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on October 5, 1942.When his platoon, advancing along a jungle trail east of the Matanikau River, was ambushed by strong hostile forces, Second Lieutenant Barrett, with utter disregard for his own personal safety and despite heavy Japanese fire, moved forward to the positions of each of his men and supervised their firing, coordinating the movement of the platoon on his left for an attempted encirclement of the enemy. Finally realizing that his men were facing overwhelming Japanese forces, he accomplished a withdrawal of the platoons with a minimum of casualties. His skillful leadership and cool courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

For the President,
/s/ Frank Knox
Secretary of the Navy