The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander John Lonam Erickson (NSN: 0-81271), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Commanding Officer of Bombing Squadron SEVEN (VB-7), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands Area, on 25 October 1944. Leading his flight of bombing planes in a powerfully coordinated attack against major units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant Commander Erickson unhesitatingly plunged through an accurate and merciless barrage of heavy and medium anti-aircraft fire from hostile guns to press home his aggressive attack and, releasing a 1,000-pound bomb at a perilously low altitude, scored a devastating hit on the bow of a large enemy battleship. A determined and forceful leader, Lieutenant Commander Erickson, by his superb airmanship, daring combat tactics and indomitable fighting spirit maintained throughout this period of furious action, contributed directly to the infliction of serious and costly damage on this Japanese man-of-war and to the ultimate success of our sustained drive against the enemy in the Pacific War Theater. His valiant devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.