Charles O. Fulcher

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Corporal Charles O. Fulcher, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Squad Leader with Company C. 7th Motor Transport Battalion, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 4 December 1950. When all the members of his squad became casualties, creating a gap in the lines, during the initial phase of a vicious attack launched by a fanatical enemy of battalion strength against his squad’s position, Corporal Fulcher waged a lone battle with grenades and machine gun fire as the attack gained momentum and the enemy threatened penetration through the gap and endangered the integrity of the entire defensive perimeter. Making a target of himself under the devastating fire from automatic weapons, rifles, grenades, and mortars, seriously wounded he maneuvered between two machine gun positions delivering accurate and effective fire against the onrushing force, killing 99, four of those in hand to hand combat, and wounding many more and forcing the others to withdraw so that reinforcements could move up and consolidate the positions. His extraordinary heroism throughout was keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.