Charles Petrakos

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Charles Petrakos, Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving with the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron (N), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), during the Japanese aerial attack on Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. Sergeant Petrakos was in the plane loading bombs when the attack started. He immediately volunteered his services as gunner and manned one of the guns on the plane and disabled another.

Authority: “Heroes of Pearl Harbor”, Donald K. & Helen L. Ross