The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Motor Machinist’s Mate Second Class Charles R. Fowx, United States Navy, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as leading engineer aboard the United States Navy Motor Torpedo ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE (PT-133), on the night of 16 July 1944. On that night his boat was hit by enemy guns and set afire while attacking and sinking two enemy barges in the Wewak area. His devotion to duty and courage were significant factors in saving the lives of all but one of his crew members of his boat. Despite blazing high octane gasoline and imminent threat of explosion, and with no regard for his personal safety, he remained in the engine room and kept the engines in operation until ordered to abandon ship. He thus enabled the boat to withdraw sufficiently for from the enemy-held territory so that the crew could not be washed ashore and captured. His quick thinking in switching fuel feed from the burning center tank to the undamaged wing tanks also prevented the more rapid spread of the fire. When ordered to abandon ship, he swam free of the rubber life raft which was the only support for the weaker members of the crew and maintained himself for three and one-half hours against a strong current setting himself into enemy territory. His disregard of his own safety was a great inspiration to his fellow crew members. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.