The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant John Thomas Maloney (NSN: 0-125593), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron SIX (VB-6), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Kure Harbor, Japan, on 24 July 1945. During an attack on major units of the Japanese Fleet, including battleships, aircraft carriers and cruisers, Lieutenant Maloney skillfully piloted his aircraft through intense anti-aircraft fire both from the enemy warships in the harbor and the many gun emplacements on the shore to score a direct bomb hit on the aircraft carrier assigned to him as a target. By his skillful airmanship and courage, Lieutenant Maloney contributed materially to the heavy damage done this warship, and his outstanding devotion to duty was 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 John Thomas Maloney (NSN: 0-125593), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron SIX (VB-6), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Kure Harbor, Japan, on 28 July 1945. During an attack on major units of the Japanese Fleet, including battleships, aircraft carriers and cruisers, Lieutenant Maloney skillfully piloted his aircraft through intense anti-aircraft fire both from the enemy warships in the harbor and the many gun emplacements on the shore to score a direct bomb hit on the battleship assigned to him as a target. By his skillful airmanship and courage, Lieutenant Maloney contributed materially to the heavy damage done this warship and to its ultimate sinking. His outstanding devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.