The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Charles D. Merritt (MCSN: 365182), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Member of an Antitank Rocket Team of Company B, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 17 June 1944. During a fierce enemy tank and infantry attack at night, Private First Class Merritt moved out to meet the hostile tanks and, bringing his fire to bear on the vehicles, succeeded in hitting and putting out of action seven hostile tanks while firing only seven rounds of ammunition. His intrepid spirit, great personal valor and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Merritt and the United States Naval Service.