The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Hawthorne Kirwin, 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 NINE (VT-9), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet off Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Flying by instruments through a solid overcast in a brilliant torpedo attack against the enemy battleship YAMATO and four screening destroyers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Kirwin broke through the clouds and carried out a perfect torpedo run at point-blank range to score a direct hit squarely amidships on the battleship, thereby contributing materially to the sinking of the vessel a few minutes later. Forced to retire through a cross-fire of intense anti-aircraft fire from the battleship and her screen, he brought his plane and crew through unscathed. By his superior airmanship and gallant fighting spirit, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Kirwin upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.