The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Breckenridge Cabell, 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 EIGHTY-THREE (VT-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese Fleet units at the Kure Naval Base, Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Participating in an attack on major ships of the enemy Fleet, including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Cabell pressed home his attack in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire to score a direct hit on an enemy warship. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.