The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] John William Farley, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron ONE (VB-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet at the Kure Naval Base, Japan, on 24 July 1945. Flying through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from many hostile warships and shore batteries, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Farley courageously pressed home a low-altitude bombing attack on an ISE Class battleship to score a direct hit and inflict serious damage on the enemy vessel. While retiring from the attack, he carried out strafing runs against gun emplacements which were laying down a barrage across the retirement course of other friendly planes and succeeded in reducing the fire from those batteries. By his airmanship and gallant fighting spirit, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Farley contributed to the success of an epic strike in which several enemy ships were sunk or damaged. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.