The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Charles Rayburn Bradford, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Composite Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VC-21) aboard the U.S.S. MARCUS ISLAND (CVE-77). Ensign Bradford served as pilot of an airplane assigned the task of providing air cover for a task force en route to the invasion of Luzon, Philippine Islands. On 8 January 1945, he intercepted and broke up an attacking force of enemy aircraft. He led his section in a daring counterattack. So accurate was his first burst of fire that the enemy’s leading plane crashed in flames. Recovering from this run he wheeled again into the main attacking force, selecting a second target and sent it burning into the sea after his first victim. His sheer daring materially aided in the breaking up of the serious threat to our forces. His courage and skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.