The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Charles Edgar Ingalls, Jr. (NSN: 0-79591), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane, and Strike Leader of a Flight of Planes in Carrier Air Group EIGHTY-SEVEN (CAG-87), attached to the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), in action against enemy Japanese forces during a coordinated attack on the battleship-carrier HYUGA in the Kure Area of the Inland Sea of Japan, on 24 July 1945. Skillfully directing a coordinated strike against the hostile vessel in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore batteries, Commander Ingalls pressed home his attacks to score four direct rocket hits and contributed materially to the success of his flight in scoring at least seven direct bomb hits and several damaging near misses. By his unfaltering leadership and courage under fire, Commander Ingalls aided immeasurably in sinking this enemy warship. His superb airmanship throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.