The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Davidson Middleton (NSN: 0-8386246/521706), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Jet Fighter Plane in Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE (VF-781), based on board the U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 18 November 1952. Encountering a numerically superior force of attacking hostile jet aircraft while participating in a combat air patrol mission on station over Task Force SEVENTY-SEVEN, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Middleton unhesitatingly carried out daring firing runs on two enemy fighters. Attacking alone when mechanical difficulties forced his section leader to retire, he scored a hit on one jet plane, causing it to burn and spiral into the sea and, continuing his runs, succeeded in inflicting heavy damage upon a second hostile aircraft which immediately retired from further action. By his outstanding valor, exceptional skill and selfless devotion to duty in the face of heavy enemy aerial opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Middleton materially aided in the successful defense of the Task Force against enemy attack, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.