The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Poor Speidel, 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 TWENTY-NINE (VT-29), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), during a highly successful air attack against an enemy Task Force in the East China Sea on 7 April 1945. As Pilot of a carrier based torpedo plane, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Speidel participated in a torpedo attack that culminated in the destruction of a large majority of the enemy Naval units that were threatening our forces on Okinawa. He successfully carried out his mission in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft barrages, scoring a direct hit with his torpedo on a large enemy battleship. His outstanding courage and determination and his utter disregard for his own personal safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.