The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Blackhall McKinny, 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 THIRTEEN (VT-13), attached to the U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), during action against enemy Japanese Fleet units in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. A daring and intrepid airman, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, McKinny dauntlessly braved withering hostile anti-aircraft fire and intense fighter opposition to launch a smashing aerial glide bombing attack against the enemy and, by his relentless determination and indomitable courage, succeeded in scoring a devastating bomb hit and a near miss on a Japanese aircraft carrier to assist in its subsequent sinking. His superb skill as an airman and brilliant combat tactics throughout this period of intense aerial activity reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, McKinny and the United States Naval Service.