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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander John Joseph Hourihan (NSN: 0-59446), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PAUL JONES (DD-230), during the Battle of the Java Sea, 27 February 1942, and in offensive action during daylight against the Japanese Battle Line consisting of heavy and light cruisers. Courageous and aggressive in the face of severe enemy fire, Lieutenant Commander Hourihan fought his ship boldly by going in unsupported, as a unit of Destroyer Division FIFTY-EIGHT, delivering a successful torpedo attack in two stages against the Japanese Cruisers, rendering valiant service by causing the Japanese ships to break off the attack and permitting the Allied ships to regain their battle formation. The inspiring leadership of Lieutenant Commander Hourihan and the gallant devotion to duty of the officers and men under his command were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Paul Jones (DD-230)

    Action Date:

    January 24 – 25, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander John Joseph Hourihan (NSN: 0-59446), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and utter disregard of his own personal safety as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. PAUL JONES (DD-230), during the attack upon enemy Japanese ships off Balikpapan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies, on the night of 24 – 25 January 1942. Although badly outnumbered, Lieutenant Commander Hourihan, ignoring enemy challenges, and by skillful maneuvering, used the element of surprise in sinking with torpedoes and damaging with gunfire a large part of the enemy’s concentration consisting of cruisers, destroyers, and various types of transports and cargo ships, after which an orderly retirement was effected. His actions displayed on this occasion reflect most favorably on his ability as a leader and officer, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.