Charles Shelby Dunne

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Charles Shelby Dunne (0-43895), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Battery D, Second Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, attached to a Marine Infantry Company in Korea, on 14 September 1951. While serving as an Artillery Forward Observer, First Lieutenant Dunne exhibited exceptional initiative and outstanding devotion to duty during an enemy counterattack. Noticing that an adjacent platoon, whose leader had been wounded and evacuated, was becoming disorganized and hard pressed, he immediately and fearlessly left his position of relative safety to assume command of the platoon. Quickly reorganizing the group and resupplying them with ammunition, he actively led a successful defense of the position while continuing to skillfully and calmly call in supporting fires. While thus engaged he was hit by enemy fire, and fell mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country. His fearless leadership had so inspired the men of the platoon that all subsequent attempts by the enemy to retake the ground were hurled back. First Lieutenant Dunne’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Charles Shelby Dunne (0-43895), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Battery D, Second Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, attached to a Marine Infantry Company in Korea, on 27 June 1951. Serving as an Artillery Forward Observer, First Lieutenant Dunne displayed exceptional courage and initiative when the company was subjected to devastating enemy mortar fire. Although he was painfully wounded early in the barrage, he courageously refused to seek medical attention, advancing fearlessly and with complete disregard for his own safety through the heavy enemy fire to an exposed observation post in order to ascertain the enemy’s mortar locations. He then remained in his exposed position and called in intense artillery fire which was so accurately adjusted that the enemy mortars were silenced, and the company was enabled to continue on its mission. His great personal bravery and unswerving devotion to duty were an inspiration to all who observed him. First Lieutenant Dunne’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.