The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] John Freeman Forsyth, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHTEEN (VB-18), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 24 October 1944. Braving intense anti-aircraft fire to press home a dive-bombing attack, Lieutenant Forsyth succeeded in scoring a possible damaging hit on an enemy battleship, thereby contributing to the success of his Squadron. His outstanding airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.