The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Theodore Crosby, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron EIGHTEEN (VF-18), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), in action on 16 April 1945. During a patrol in the vicinity of Okinawa Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Crosby sighted twenty enemy fighters headed in the direction of our forces and dove to intercept. In the encounter that followed he shot down four enemy planes and emerged without injury to his plane or himself although, having become separated from his division, he fought single handed during most of the engagement. The first fighter he attacked burst into flames and crashed. A second plane engaged him in a head on run but his bullets scored hits on the enemy plane which, burning about the engine, went down. Regaining altitude he opened fire on a third fighter which also fell into the sea ablaze. The fourth plane he attacked broke apart in midair, concluding the engagement. Later in the same flight he dove on an enemy dive bomber which crashed on the shore of Okinawa as a result of his fire. His courage and skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.