The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Charles Robert Stephan, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. WOODWORTH (DD-460), a United States Destroyer, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine-Formosa Area, on 13 October 1944. While his ship was stationed as picket ship for a Task Group, Commander Stephan gave timely warnings of continuous enemy night air attacks threatening all Task Groups of the Carrier Task Force and, during one night Torpedo Plane attack, initially engaged the enemy, breaking up the attack by shooting down three hostile planes. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.