The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Charles Herman Mester, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron NINETY-FOUR (VB-94), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action on 18 July 1945, in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet at Yokosuka Navy Yard, Honshu, Japan, on 18 July 1945. Fearlessly disregarding intense anti-aircraft fire sent up from surrounding warships and shore batteries, Lieutenant Commander Mester pressed home a vigorous attack against the enemy battleship NAGATO to score a direct hit, thereby contributing materially to the extensive damage inflicted on the hostile vessel. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty 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 a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Charles Herman Mester, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and as Strike leader of a Flight of fourteen Bomber Planes of Bombing Squadron NINETY-FOUR (VB-94), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Inland Sea, Kure, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Leading his flight in an attack on a large enemy battleship in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Commander Mester pressed home a determined attack to score a direct hit with a heavy caliber bomb, causing vital damage to the vessel. By his skillful leadership of fighter, bomber and torpedo aircraft, he contributed materially to the damaging of an enemy cruiser, aircraft carrier and battleship. His gallant fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.