THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to duty. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear Lt Charles Witt, Thank you for your service as a Surface Warfare Officer, and for graduating from Annapolis. I researched you on your 87th birthday, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Valentine's Day is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Never forgotten.

Semper Fortis

A SHIPMATE ON USS PROVICENCE (CLG-6)

Charles Don Witt

DATE OF BIRTH: January 28, 1936

HOME OF RECORD:
Lubbock, Texas

Charles Witt graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1959.


Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
GENERAL ORDERS:
All Hands (May 1968)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Charles Don Witt (NSN: 0-631027), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 19 May 1967 while serving with River Patrol Section FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE and friendly foreign forces during combat operations against the communist insurgent forces along the Ham Luong River, Republic of Vietnam. While serving as Patrol Officer for River Patrol Boats (PBR's) 104 and 106 on a combat patrol eighteen miles south of My Tho, Republic of Vietnam, Lieutenant Witt sighted a junk reversing its course on a Ham Luong tributary. Without hesitation, he commenced a chase of the evading craft, successfully destroying it along with another Viet Cong junk, despite semi-automatic and automatic fire from the junks, a hut and enemy-manned bunkers along the bank. The destruction of these junks was marked by secondary explosions resulting in 180 to 200-foot columns of black smoke. The four confirmed enemy killed included a deputy commander of a Viet Cong company; among the seven confirmed enemy wounded was a commander of a Viet Cong company. The junks were part of the re-supply equipment of two enemy companies. Lieutenant Witt led his PBR patrol back to the main river with no personnel loss or material damage to his units. His inspiring aggressiveness and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.