The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Charles Slack Hutchings (NSN: 0-71387), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TILLMAN (DD-641), while escorting a convoy during an attack by enemy aircraft off the Coast of Algeria on 6 November 1943. Shortly before dusk the troops convoy, of which the U.S.S. TILLMAN was one of the escorts, was heavily attacked by approximately twenty-five enemy bombers and torpedo planes. After promptly giving the first warning of their approach to the formation, Lieutenant Commander Hutchings, with extreme skill, courage and determination, maneuvered his ship to attack the enemy with his main and secondary batteries and engaged the attacking planes with such accuracy and effectiveness that, as a result of this fire, several planes were destroyed and others repulsed before they were able to launch their attack on the convoy. Throughout this act he handled his ship with expert seamanship to avoid damage from bombs and torpedoes and his aggressive defense of his sector of the screen contributed materially to the prevention of the probable sinking of loaded transports and the loss of many troops and vital military supplies. The prompt and decisive action, fearless leadership under enemy fire, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Commander Hutchings were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.