This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Michael D. Withers (Mike), OSCS
to remember
Brewer, Charles Walter, Jr., CDR.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Casualty Info
Home Town Clinton
Last Address Tulsa
Casualty Date Jun 19, 1944
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Guam
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial - Honolulu, Hawaii
Name of Award Distinguished Flying Cross (1917-2016)
Devices
none
Year Awarded 1944
Last Updated: Nov 29, 2013
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Charles Walter Brewer (NSN: 0-73306), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Commander Brewer, as Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15), led his squadron in almost continuous air operations against the enemy from 11 June 1944 until he was missing in action on 19 June 1944. On 19 June 1944, in the approximate position Lat. 17-31 N and Long 144-10 E he led the second of two group air attacks on an enemy convoy which resulted in the destruction of about 40,000 tons of enemy merchant shipping, destroyed at least one destroyer and three escort vessels, and damaged numerous others. His timely coordination and inspiring leadership were in a large part responsible for this major catastrophe to the enemy merchant fleet. His initiation of and persistence in the devastating strafing attack resulted in such major damage to an enemy destroyer that it completely disintegrated on the spot. Immediately after landing aboard upon the completion of this action, Commander Brewer was informed that a sizeable enemy force was engaged in combat with our planes near the Island of Guam. Although at that time, only seven fighting planes remained on board that were in commission, Commander Brewer immediately drew up a task organization and was himself catapulted with the other six planes and proceeded to the assistance of those of our aircraft in the vicinity of Guam. Upon arrival there he found that his seven planes were the only friendly planes remaining in the vicinity to engage with the numerically superior enemy. His quick planning and timely execution enabled this small group to either destroy or rout all enemy planes then present. During this engagement he himself accounted for two enemy planes. Unfortunately, of the original group of seven, only five returned to the ship, Commander Brewer's plane being one of those missing. Action Date: June 11 - 19, 1944 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Commander Company: Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15)
