The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Day Slighton, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron ONE (VT-1), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against the enemy fleet west of the Mariana Islands during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. Despite intense and heavy anti-aircraft fire and the presence of enemy fighter planes, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Slighton, along with other planes from his squadron, make a close-range torpedo attack on an enemy aircraft carrier. Two direct torpedo hits were observed on the carrier. Immediately after dropping his torpedo he fought off a determined attack by two enemy fighter planes, returned to his Task Group after nightfall, and made a safe night landing aboard a carrier. His indomitable tenacity, skill and courage throughout the entire operation were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.