The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Charles E. Sturz, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct while serving in the U.S.S. CHEVALIER (DD-451),, when his ship was torpedoed during an action in the Solomon Islands on the night of 6 October 1943. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Sturz courageously entered a flooded compartment, although stunned and bleeding, to assist in the rescue of several seriously injured crew members.