Charles Edward Watts

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Charles Edward Watts, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Division Leader in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Kure Bay, Japan, 19 March 1945. Participating in a daring fighter strike on major units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Watts dived through intense enemy antiaircraft fire to press home a strafing attack on a Japanese aircraft carrier. Unable to release his bomb, he recovered altitude and led his division in a bombing attack on a cruiser. Subsequently, he aided in strafing a large tanker which was left burning, and assisted in an attack on an airfield which resulted in the destruction of six parked aircraft and the infliction of severe damage on airfield installations and hangars. He took part in strafing and exploding a locomotive and then joined in two strafing runs on a seaplane base, destroying two four-engined patrol planes and two single-engined seaplanes and inflicting serious damage on seven others. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Watts and the United States Naval Service.