Charles E. Brannon

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Charles E. Brannon (0-61207), First Lieutenant (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. First Lieutenant Brannon distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sorak-san, Korea, on 25 April 1951. When the convoy in which he was proceeding was ambushed by a heavily armed, well-entrenched enemy force, Lieutenant Brannon completely exposed himself to the intense hostile fire to place members of the convoy in defensive positions and direct their return fire. He then organized a group of soldiers and led an assault against the well-fortified enemy. Under his inspiring leadership, the small group inflicted heavy casualties on the hostile troops until the overwhelming numerical superiority of the enemy forced a withdrawal. As he was returning to the road, Lieutenant Brannon noticed that many wounded soldiers were lying in positions exposed to the murderous enemy fire. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he proceeded from one vehicle to another, trying to locate one that would start. During this courageous action he was shot in the neck but, although bleeding profusely, continued to check the vehicles until he located a two and one-half ton truck that was in operating condition. After driving to the area of the wounded men, he assisted in loading them on the vehicle. Then, when he had ascertained that all of the wounded were on the truck, he drove through the crossfire of the ambush to an aid station approximately six miles distant. Only after all other wounded were cared for did Lieutenant Brannon accept treatment for his own wound.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 655 (August 19, 1951)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Charles E. Brannon (0-61207), First Lieutenant (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. First Lieutenant Brannon distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Pangwa-dong, Korea, on 22 April 1951. On that date, Lieutenant Brannon led his platoon in an assault against a heavily fortified objective. However, the intense enemy fire soon pinned the friendly troops down. With keen tactical perception, Lieutenant Brannon analyzed the situation and immediately took positive steps to relive the pressure on his men. Calling for an automatic-weapons team, he directed them to fire at one of the two enemy emplacements from which the major portion of the deadly fusillade originated. He then single-handedly attacked the other and, ignoring its heavy volume of fire, he killed its occupants. This paved the way to the crest of the objective and he personally led his men in a spirited assault. Heavy fire from deeply entrenched for halted this attack also and Lieutenant Brannon immediately charged forward alone and attacked position after position, neutralizing each in turn. When his men moved up to consolidate the top of the hill, hitherto hidden enemy troops began firing in conjunction with defensive fire from the reverse slope of the hill. Realizing the untenable nature of the friendly positions, Lieutenant Brannon and his men were forced to seek out each enemy soldier before establishing their perimeter. The fanatical foe then launched a counterattack which caught the friendly troops with the ammunition almost completely exhausted. To save his men from almost certain death, Lieutenant Brannon ordered them to execute a limited withdrawal while he provided covering fire which enabled them to perform the maneuver with a minimum of casualties.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 453 (August 14, 1952)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Charles E. Brannon (0-105955), Ensign, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), embarked from Naval Air Station Midway during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 and 5 June 1942. In the first attack against an enemy carrier of the Japanese invasion fleet, Ensign Brannon pressed home his attack in the face of withering fire from enemy Japanese fighters and anti-aircraft forces. Because of events attendant upon the Battle of Midway, there can be no doubt that he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. His courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 310 (January 1943)