The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John A. Burns (NSN: 0-145323), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Navy OS2U “Kingfisher” embarked from the Battleship U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55), in action against enemy Japanese forces near Truk, in the Pacific War Area on 30 April 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burns flew boldly to an area within close range of hostile shore batteries to rescue a pilot of a U.S. Navy airplane that had gone down in the vicinity, recovering the pilot as well as the pilot and two crewmen of a previously dispatched OS2U “Kingfisher” that had capsized during an earlier rescue attempt. After transferring the rescued airman to an United States Submarine, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burns returned a second time to rescue yet another downed pilot. Finding his aircraft too heavy and the waters too rough to take off, and while awaiting contact from the American submarine, two more United States Navy airplanes were hit and forced to ditch in the vicinity. Taxiing extensively from one life raft to another, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burns rescued the pilots of both aircraft and each of the two Avenger’s two crewmen. By his daring initiative and dedication to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burns was able to effect the rescue of 10 Naval aviators. His conduct throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.