The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Wilson Bartol (NSN: 0-158102), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron SIXTEEN (VF-16), in the vicinity of the Mariana Islands, on 19 and 20 June 1944, as pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane. While escorting two of our torpedo planes in a long range search for enemy naval forces, he encountered three enemy search planes and shot two of them down into the water, thus materially hampering the search activities of the enemy. He also escorted our bomber and torpedo planes in a long range strike against the enemy Fleet, which resulted in the sinking of one enemy carrier and the damaging of many other warships. His courage and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.