The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John D. Gavan, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while participating in a daring strafing run on the airfield at Sabang during World War II. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Gavan was caught in a burst of anti-aircraft fire which severely damaged his plane. He courageously remained over the target and made four more effective runs, greatly assisting his division in setting fire to four large planes, damaging two others and beaching a small boat. Later, while escorting the strike group in a raid on Soerabaja, Java, he contributed to the burning of three planes and the damaging of another.