The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

        SERGEANT CHARLES V. THOMPSON

             UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

    CITATION:

           "For heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company F, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division.  On 19 May 1968, Company F was conducting a search and destroy operation near the Khe Sanh Combat Base when the lead elements suddenly came under intense mortar, small arms and artillery fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force.  Quickly deploying his men on line to protect the flank of the lead platoon, Sergeant THOMPSON aggressively maneuvered his unit through the heavy volume of hostile fire and established effective fighting positions on higher ground.  Completely disregarding his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he moved among his men to ensure their safety and direct their fire against the North Vietnamese emplacements.  Realizing the gravity of the situation as his men became dangerously low of ammunition, Sergeant THOMPSON immediately requested a tank to reinforce his platoon and provide supporting fire.  As the tank neared his position, he ignored the intense hostile fire as he fearlessly ran across the hazardous terrain to the tracked vehicle and directed its delivery of highly effective fire against the enemy.  His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit accounting for sixty-seven North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed.  Sergeant THOMPSON’S courage, superb leadership and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”

         Sergeant THOMPSON is authorized to wear the Combat “V”

                  FOR THE PRESIDENT

V

                               H. W. BUSE, JR.

                  LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

     COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC