The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Jacob Elliott Cooper, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. JOHN D. FORD (DD-228), and for extreme disregard of personal safety, devotion to duty, courage, leadership and alertness in successfully delivering a determined attack with torpedoes and gunfire during action with the enemy. On the night of 24 – 25 January 1942, the PAUL JONES, together with the U.S.S. PAUL JONES (DD-230) and U.S.S. PARROTT (DD-218), delivered an attack upon enemy surface ships off Balikpapan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies. The composition of the enemy’s concentration was known to consist of cruisers, destroyers, and various types of transports and cargo ships. Although sorely outnumbered, the element of surprise was used to compensate for the numerical inequality of forces. By utter disregard of enemy challenges and skillful and precision-like maneuvering, the attacking force was able to so confuse the enemy as to gain admittance to his concentration, sinking and considerably damaging a great part of it by repeated torpedo and gunfire attacks. After remaining in close contact with the enemy for over an hour, and after having expended all torpedoes, an orderly retirement was effected. Lieutenant Commander Cooper’s skillful handling of the U.S.S. JOHN D. FORD and the manifestly high morale and state of training of his command reflect most favorably on his ability as a commanding Officer and his qualities as a leader. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Jacob Elliott Cooper, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. JOHN D. FORD (DD-228), during an offensive engagement with enemy Japanese forces in the Badoeng Straits off the Island of Bali, Netherlands East Indies, on the night of 19 – 20 February 1942. With his vessel illuminated by the enemy, and under heavy gunfire from enemy Japanese cruisers and destroyers, Lieutenant Commander Cooper delivered a vigorous attack with guns and torpedoes, scoring several gun hits and at least two torpedo hits on the opposing forces. Following the attack, he displayed fine seamanship and excellent judgment in extricating the U.S.S. JOHN D. FORD from a situation of grave peril, thereby saving the ship from serious damage. This spirit of determination reflects great credit upon Lieutenant Commander Cooper, his command, and upon the United States Naval Service.