Charley Francis Martin

The Navy Cross is awarded to Chief Quartermaster Charley Francis Martin, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in command of the Armed Guard on the S.S. Atlantic Sun. Very prompt action was taken by Chief Quartermaster Martin and the men under his command when this vessel was torpedoed amidships. It appears that the guns were used as long as they could be until the list of the ship interfered with them so that they became useless. The vessel sank rapidly, and the Armed Guard commander was last to leave the ship.