“On June 2, C Company moved to capture Hill 543 near the village of
Chipo-ri.
[n 2] The hill was protected by heavily entrenched Chinese infantry as well as
mortars at the top of the hill. During their first attempt to advance up the hill, the company took heavy casualties, and the 3rd Platoon leader was mortally wounded. Charlton took command of the platoon and reorganized it for another attack.
[2] Heavy fire eventually forced the company back down the hill.
[5]
Three times, Charlton led the platoon up the hill in the face of intense Chinese mortar and infantry fire. In spite of mounting casualties, the platoon made slow progress. Charlton single-handedly destroyed two Chinese positions and killed six Chinese soldiers with rifle fire and grenades. During one advance, Charlton was wounded in the chest, but he refused medical treatment and pushed the company forward.
[2] Charlton continued to lead the attack from the front of the platoon, and several times was separated from the unit.
[5] Subsequent accounts noted Charlton continued the advance "holding his chest wound with one hand and an
M1 carbine with the other."
[7]
Under Charlton's leadership, the platoon managed to overcome the Chinese infantry positions, but it spotted a Chinese bunker on the far side of the top of the hill, from which the mortars were firing on them. As recounted by
Private First Class Ronald Holmes, one of the men in the platoon, Charlton decided to destroy the bunker, and with his last known words, "Let's go," he urged the platoon forward, charging at the front of the formation ahead of the rest of his men.
[5] In one final action, Charlton advanced alone to the top of the hill and the location of the Chinese mortars, firing repeatedly on the emplacement there. The Chinese troops wounded Charlton one final time with a grenade, but he continued firing until the position was destroyed. Charlton subsequently died from the wounds inflicted by the grenade.
[8] However, he is credited with saving much of his platoon, which had been under heavy mortar fire.
[5]”
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