Charles L. Mullins

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Charles L. Mullins (0-44184), Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a carrier based Marine Attack Squadron of the FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in Korea. On 27 December 1952, Captain Mullins participated in an aerial assault against a major enemy supply installation on the Northwest coast of Korea. During repeated bombing runs on the target one of the attacking planes was struck by anti-aircraft fire and the pilot was forced to parachute into the icy waters of the Taedong estuary. While the other elements of the flight took covering stations above the downed pilot, Captain Mullins conducted low strafing runs against the enemy batteries firing from the nearby shore. Upon receiving information that friendly helicopter and surface vessels were approaching the estuary, he rendezvoused with them to act as guide and protective cover for the defenseless craft, through an intense barrage of hostile fire. At this stage of the rescue operation a flight of enemy jet interceptors pressed a diving assault against the rescue facilities and were immediately engaged by the covering propeller driven aircraft. Whenever the intruding fighters broke through the defensive screen, Captain Mullins successively met them with head-on firing runs that thwarted their attacks on the rescue facilities. When the enemy aircraft finally disengaged, he momentarily resumed his strafing assaults on the hostile shore and then escorted the withdrawal of a rescue boat that had been severely damaged by enemy shore fire. Although his fuel reserve had reached a dangerously low level, he bravely remained on station until other aircraft arrived. Only then did he return to his carrier where he landed with almost empty fuel tanks. Captain Mullins’ heroic actions in behalf of a fellow airman reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.