The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Russell Amussen (NSN: 0-251003), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, Strike/Flight award, for the period 20 July 1944 to 26 July 1944. On 20 July 1944 he dive bombed and strafed an enemy troop area on Guam. On 21 July 1944 he dive bombed and strafed gun positions on Guam. On 22 July 1944 he dive bombed and strafed enemy troop positions at Agana, Guam. On 26 July 1944 he dive bombed and strafed enemy positions on the Palau Islands.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Russell Amussen (NSN: 0-251003), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a carrier-based fighter bomber airplane on an attack mission against units of the Japanese Fleet in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 24 September 1944. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, he scored a direct hit on an enemy destroyer escort vessel, which sand, and assisted, by strafing, in the sinking of an enemy torpedo boat and in the probably sinking of an enemy torpedo boat and in the probable sinking of a large fleet mine layer. His courage and disregard for his own safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.