The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Jack P. Barnum (NSN: 0-98480), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Campaign on 24 August 1942. In an unsupported aerial torpedo raid against a Japanese task force, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Barnum pressed home his attack through a bursting hail of fire from hostile anti-aircraft batteries against a Japanese Task Force with precision, vigor, and heroic determination thereby insuring that a direct hit was scored on a Japanese heavy cruiser in the center of the task force. His courage, skill, and determination were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.