The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant John Oscar Jenkins, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VTB-85), attached to the U.S.S. SHANGRI-LA (CV-38), during action against enemy Japanese Fleet units at Kure, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Courageously executing his attack on a TONE Class cruiser despite intense anti-aircraft fire from major enemy fleet units and shore batteries, Lieutenant Jenkins scored two damaging hits on the ship with 500-pound bombs and contributed greatly to the safety of other planes in the attacking group and to the success of the mission. His skillful airmanship, intrepid spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.