The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant John M. Searles, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while Commanding Motor Torpedo Boat FIFTY-NINE (PT-59), on the night of 9 December 1942. On sighting a Japanese submarine and landing barge off Kamimbo Bay, Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, Lieutenant Searles promptly attacked the submarine by firing two torpedoes at 400 yards range; one hit causing a tremendous detonation and a 250-foot column of water; then nothing was left of the submarine except oil which came up profusely for the ensuing one-and-one-half hours. The landing barge was strafed, boarded, and found empty of personnel. By his exemplary leadership and extraordinary heroism, an enemy submarine was destroyed before it could accomplish an important rendezvous with short. The exceptional bravery, aggressive leadership, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Searles were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.