Charles Bates was a non-graduating member of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1936.
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Charles Bates was a non-graduating member of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1936.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Charles Joseph Bates (NSN: 0-100495), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity following an attack upon the U.S.S. MEREDITH (DD-726) by thirty enemy Japanese torpedo bombers in the Solomon Islands Area on 15 October 1942. When a terrific pounding by repeated explosions eventually drove the vessel down by the bow, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bates supervised abandon ship operations until the decks about him were completely awash. As returning Japanese flyers swept low over the sea in merciless strafing runs, he helped shocked and injured swimmers to climb aboard life rafts and strove to organize the entire party of survivors for maximum endurance of prolonged exposure. Stalked by sharks and tortured by thirst, they drifted aimlessly for three days afterward while he persistently fought off lapses into delirium, cheerfully encouraging those about him and holding out hope until they were finally spotted by a Navy flying boat. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bates’ heroic initiative and unselfish devotion to the welfare of his comrades were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.