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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral John Henry Towers (NSN: 0-5891), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas from February 1944 to July 1945. During this period he displayed outstanding professional ability, sound judgment and an unusual knowledge of the details of military and naval operations in the discharge of his responsibility for the provision of personnel, equipment, supplies, shipping and the general logistic support of the combatant units of all services in the campaign which resulted in the capture and development of bases in the Marshalls, Marianas, Carolines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa and in the Pacific Fleet operations which supported the recapture of the Philippines. In addition, from January to July 1945, he coordinated all fleet activities in the Hawaiian Areas. Through his energetic initiative and devotion to duty he contributed greatly toward our defeat of the Japanese Empire. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    October 14, 1942 – February 25, 1944
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 0701 (February 27, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Vice Admiral John Henry Towers (NSN: 0-5891), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet, from 14 October 1942 to 25 February 1944. Vice Admiral Towers, the first Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet, immediately upon assuming duty inaugurated an intensive program to improve and coordinate naval air effort in the Pacific Ocean Areas. The sound and decisive judgment displayed by Vice Admiral Towers in these matters, together with his energy and farsightedness with respect to training and logistic planning, have been invaluable in developing the present efficiency of naval aviation in the Pacific. Vice Admiral Towers is largely responsible for the organization and training of the aviation components of the carrier striking forces that have been operating against enemy forces in the Mandated Islands with such conspicuous success.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Action Date:

    May 8 – 27, 1919

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander John Henry Towers (NSN: 0-5891), United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Seaplane NC-3, and of the NC Division, which made a long overseas flight from New Foundland to the vicinity of the Azores, in May 1919.