The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Commander Charles Ramsay Stapler (NSN: 0-82333), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism as Commander, Air Group NINETEEN (CAG-19), and as Pilot of a Night Fighter Aircraft of Composite Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VC-35), attached to the U.S.S. PRINCETON (CV-37), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea during the early morning hours of darkness on 9 June 1951. Despite low ceilings and practically zero visibility, Commander Stapler voluntarily took off from the PRINCETON on a predawn heckler mission over North Korea. Accompanied by another fighter plane, he carried out several aggressive bombing and strafing attacks against enemy installations and lines of communications in the face of intense hostile anti-aircraft fire. When his plane was struck by a stray burst of enemy fire and started to burn, Commander Stapler remained at the controls where he was last seen by his radar man, who bailed out. By his outstanding leadership, courage and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Commander Stapler succeeded in inflicting extensive damage and destruction upon the enemy. His actions at all times were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.