The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander John Allison Fitzgerald (NSN: 0-70182), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GRENADIER (SS-210), on the SIXTH War Patrol of that submarine in enemy Japanese controlled waters from 21 to 23 April 1943, and as a Prisoner of War in a Japanese Military Prison from 23 April 1943 to 2 September 1945. When an enemy plane bombed his submarine, Commander Fitzgerald fought courageously for twenty-two hours to save his fatally damaged ship. Skillfully countering renewed enemy attacks, he mustered all remaining fire power for the probable destruction of a hostile aircraft before Japanese surface forces moved in for the kill. Coolly mustering the entire crew, he sent them over the side as the GRENADIER was scuttled. Unflinchingly withstanding the cruelties of his captors in various Japanese prison camps for two years and five months thereafter, he inspired his gallant crew to endure the rigors of their lot. His leadership, spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.