The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander John Francis Delaney, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Engineering Officer, on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action during the Battle of Midway, on 6 June 1942. After an enemy bomb exploded and extinguished the fires in all but one of the U.S.S. YORKTOWN’s boilers during the Battle of Midway, through the efficient organization of his department and his competent direction of repair and engineering damage control Lieutenant Commander Delaney accelerated the speed of his engineering plant from 6 knots, the maximum speed of the damaged plant, to 23 knots in approximately an hour’s time. His gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.