The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Charles Thomas Booth, II (NSN: 0-70290), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron FORTY-ONE (VF-41), attached to the U.S.S. RANGER (CV-4), during the assault on and occupation of French Morocco, from 8 to 11 November 1942. On 8 November 1942, Lieutenant Commander Booth led a flight of 18 planes that strafed the Cazes airdrome, destroying 14 planes, shooting down one plane. Later, on the same day in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Commander booth led a flight of 11 planes that strafed a hostile battery near Port Lyautey and silenced hit. He led a third flight of 16 planes on that day that bombed and strafed El Hank shore battery, two surfaced submarines, and finally a light cruiser off Casablanca with telling effect. On a later date, Lieutenant Commander Booth led four additional flights in successful attacks against hostile troops, planes in the air, and tank and truck columns. The leadership and airmanship displayed by Lieutenant Commander Booth in the actions described were inspiration and reflect great credit upon the Naval Service.