The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Lawrence Banks (NSN: 0-263453), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a carrier-based fighter airplane in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), on 3 July 1944, in the vicinity of the Kazan Islands as escort of a bombing mission against an enemy air base. He pressed home an attack upon a large group of enemy airborne fighter planes to a dangerously low altitude, aware at the time of the existence of enemy planes above him. By his daring and aggressive action he personally destroyed three of these planes. His courage and skill were an inspiration to those with whom he flew and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Lawrence Banks (NSN: 0-263453), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy on 24 June 1944. As a Pilot in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), embarked in U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), on a fighter sweep in the vicinity of the Bonin Islands he engaged enemy fighter planes. He handled his attack so skillfully and maneuvered his plane so coolly that he succeeded in shooting down two of these opposing enemy fighters. In the course of the same operation, on 12 June 1944, he saved a rescue vessel from attack by an enemy twin engine fighter plane and belayed the attack against the rescue vessel. He then chased the enemy plane thirty miles, finally destroying it. His courage and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.