The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Donald Page (NSN: 0-337044), 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 heavy overcast in an attack against a hostile light cruiser and screening destroyer, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Page dived through a cone of intense anti-aircraft fire to carry out his attack to point-blank range and, when his torpedo failed to release, made a second run against the maneuvering destroyer and scored a direct hit which left the vessel dead in the water. By his superior airmanship and gallant fighting spirit, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Page upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.