The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Charles Woodward Nelson (NSN: 0-83353), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron ONE (VT-1), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against the enemy fleet west of the Mariana Islands during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. Leading a division of carrier-based torpedo bombers against the Japanese fleet, Lieutenant Nelson braved terrific opposition to launch an attack on an enemy aircraft carrier. He led his planes down through the clouds at high speed, holding his course through the intense fire of the carrier, a battleship and a screen of several cruisers and destroyers, and dropped his torpedo on a course straight and true to his target. Hit by anti-aircraft fire, his plane went into a steep bank, burst into flames and crashed into the sea. By his brilliant airmanship, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Nelson contributed materially to the success of our operations in this historic engagement, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.