The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John W. Heatherington, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the night of 15 – 16 March 1944, as commander of a Catalina airplane he located a strongly escorted convoy. In spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire which shot out one engine and severely damaged his airplane, he caused severe damage to the largest ship of the convoy. In addition, from 15 February to 30 March 1944, he flew numerous missions under hazardous conditions to inflict damage on barges, ships and shore installations.