The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant John Donald Petersen (NSN: 0-104213), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in a strike against a Japanese Task Group, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, on 24 October 1944. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Petersen attacked and scored rocket hits on an enemy battleship. In addition, he participated in an attack on other enemy ships, and driving through concentrated anti-aircraft fire scored a direct bomb hit on a light cruiser. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.