The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Charles Cochran Kirkpatrick (NSN: 0-70146/1100), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TRITON (SS-201), on the FOURTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 25 June 1942 to 7 September 1942, in enemy controlled waters of Southwest Pacific. Despite severe weather conditions, Lieutenant Commander Kirkpatrick pressed home every favorable opportunity for attack against the enemy and by expert maneuvering and daring skill enabled the TRITON and her gallant crew to sink one enemy destroyer of 1,368 tons and one destroyer leader of 1,700 tons. Lieutenant Commander Kirkpatrick’s fine seamanship and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Charles Cochran Kirkpatrick (NSN: 0-70146/1100), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TRITON (SS-201), on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine during the period 13 April 1942 through 14 June 1942, in close proximity to enemy controlled shores. In the face of heavy enemy opposition, TRITON delivered a deliberately planned and decisively executed attack with the result that one enemy Japanese submarine of 1,635 tons, and six enemy merchant ships totaling 22,593 tons were sunk. Lieutenant Commander Kirkpatrick so skillfully maneuvered his vessel as to escape enemy depth charges on three separate occasions and completed his patrol mission without injury to his own personnel or damage to material.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Charles Cochran Kirkpatrick (NSN: 0-70146/1100), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and outstanding courage in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TRITON (SS-201), on the FIFTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 16 December 1942 to 26 January 1943, in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific War Area. Availing himself of every favorable attack opportunity, Lieutenant Commander Kirkpatrick boldly struck at the enemy, sinking one medium freighter-tanker and two medium cargo vessels, a total of 17,340 tons, damaging and probably sinking another medium cargo vessel of 4,000 tons and damaging a large tanker of 10,200 tons. Utilizing the TRITON as a radio station during an operation on 23 December 1942, he assisted in the aerial bombardment of Wake Island by casting a radio beam to direct the attack. The superb seamanship and skill evidenced by Lieutenant Commander Kirkpatrick during this period are a continuation of his illustrious combat record, sustaining and enhancing the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.