The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John E. Shumway (NSN: 0-156368), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VT-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in the coordinated bombing attack against enemy Japanese Fleet units at the Kure Naval Base, Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Shumway skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a bombing attack against major units of the enemy Fleet including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked an enemy cruiser in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit with his bomb which contributed materially to the damage inflicted on the vessel. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.