(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Charles Edward Watts, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot in a Navy Fighting Squadron, in operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Ocean Area, during World War II.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighting SquadronAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Charles Edward Watts, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot in a Navy Fighting Squadron, in operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Ocean Area, during World War II.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighting SquadronAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Charles Edward Watts, United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot in a Navy Fighting Squadron, in operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Ocean Area, during World War II.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17)Division:
U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)Action Date:
March 19, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Charles Edward Watts, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Division Leader in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Kure Bay, Japan, 19 March 1945. Participating in a daring fighter strike on major units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Watts dived through intense enemy anti-aircraft fire to press home a strafing attack on a Japanese aircraft carrier. Unable to release his bomb, he recovered altitude and led his division in a bombing attack on a cruiser. Subsequently, he aided in strafing a large tanker which was left burning, and assisted in an attack on an airfield which resulted in the destruction of six parked aircraft and the infliction of severe damage on airfield installations and hangars. He took part in strafing and exploding a locomotive and then joined in two strafing runs on a seaplane base, destroying two four-engined patrol planes and two single-engined seaplanes and inflicting serious damage on seven others. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Watts and the United States Naval Service.