Charles Finkel
Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Charles Finkel was born on 29 September 1947. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps on 31 May 1966 in Brooklyn, NY.

On 4 September 1967, Lance Corporal Charles Finkel was serving with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, Lance Corporal Finkel was killed in action when he sustained wounds from small arms fire. His body was recovered.

Medals

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Charles Finkel (MCSN: 2282715), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with operations against the enemy while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), near Con Thien, Republic of Vietnam, on 4 September 1967. Lance Corporal Finkel's company was engaged in a company-sized sweep when his platoon made initial contact with an enemy force of unknown size. During the ensuing battle, he received a painful wound from an enemy grenade and was told to report to a casualty evacuation area. As the security force moved across an open area to secure a landing zone for the evacuation helicopters, the enemy opened fire, severely wounding several Marines and pinning them down so that they could not proceed to safety. Observing that the men were unable to move, and ignoring his painful wound, Lance Corporal Finkel ran out into the withering hail of enemy fire to attempt a rescue but was mortally wounded. By his bold initiative, dauntless courage and devotion to his fellow Marines, Lance Corporal Finkel reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Honors

The name Charles Finkel is inscribed on Panel 25E Line 98 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Lance Corporal Finkel is buried at New Montefiore in West Bablyon, NY.

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