The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Jack Numa Durio, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Division Leader in Bombing Squadron NINE (VB-9), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. Undaunted by intense anti-aircraft fire and a low cloud cover which obscured the target, Lieutenant Durio led his four-plane division in a low-altitude glide-bombing attack against units of the enemy Fleet including a battleship, a cruiser and screening destroyers, personally scored a direct hit on the starboard quarter of the cruiser and contributed to its sinking. By his leadership and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Durio upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.