Charles I. Tsukishima

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Charles I. Tsukishima (37364169), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company C, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team near the town of Forno, Italy, on 16 April 1945. During an assault against a numerically superior enemy force that was entrenched in an almost inaccessible ridge overlooking the town of Forno, Private First Class Tsukishima was severely wounded by an enemy grenade. Despite this injury he refused evacuation to have his wounds treated and because of the larger number of casualties which the enemy had inflicted on the advancing troops, elected to remain in position and defend the costly ground which he and his comrades had so recently gained. Remaining in position all night he returned the enemy’s fire and at dawn the troops again assaulted the German position, this time meeting with complete success. By his courage and devotion to duty, Private First Class Tsukishima reflected great credit upon himself and the military service in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army of the United States.