The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral [then Captain] John Howard Cassady, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SARATOGA during action against the Japanese in the Buka-Bonis Area, Bougainville, 1 – 2 November 1943, and at Rabaul 5 and 11 November 1943. Admiral Cassady imbued his officers and men with a spirit of determined offensive action which enabled them to carry out vigorous strikes resulting in neutralization of important air bases in the Buka-Bonis Area, severe damage to many hostile combatant ships in Rabaul Harbor and destruction of numerous aircraft.