The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Charles Luther Werts (NSN: 0-70060), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Naval Destroyer U.S.S. COWELL (DD-547), operating as Fighter Director Ship on a Radar Picket station during action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, from 1 April to 17 June 1945. Maintaining his crew and ship at the peak of fighting efficiency, Commander Werts skillfully directed his unit in defeating all enemy attempts at destruction and contributed directly to the record of ten hostile planes destroyed by his vessel’s gunfire and twenty-eight more by the combat air patrol under his command. His leadership and gallant devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Commander Werts and the United States Naval Service.