Charles A Mankin - War Hero

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting <1> <2>
the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

CORPORAL CHARLES A. MANKIN

for service as set forth in the following:

" For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a
group leader of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-third Marines,
Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces
during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945.
Setting out to silence an enemy pillbox whose file was holding up
the advance of his platoon and circled to the rear of the pillbox.
Although under heavy hostile small-arms fire, he stood up and fired
his rifle at the enemy in the pillbox, killing all of the occupants.
Although wounded during this action, he continued fighting until his
mission was successfully completed. His leadership and courageous
devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
United States Naval Service."

MICHIGAN MARINES ON SAIPAN -- Leatherneck fighters on
Saipan are shown here with those in the front row displaying a Japanese
battle flag captured during the fighting on the island. They are, left to right,
Corporal Darrel S. Cole, 24, of 2852 Porter Street, a veteran of Guadalcanal,
Captain William Weinstein, 26, 3200 West Chicago Boulevard, Detroit, and
Private First Class William M Glazier, 20, 17 Fuller Avenue, Grand Rapids.
In the rear row are: Private First Class Charles A Mankin, 19, 561 Carpenter
Street, Northville, Private First Class Wilburn W Woody, 22, 23739
Hazelwood Street, Hazel Park, Private Troy A Smail, 25, 4670 18th Street,
Detroit, Sergeant Thomas Wojewski, 20, 15380 Cruse Avenue, Detroit,
Private Jim W Cundiff, 19, 1956 Oakdale Street, Detroit.