The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander John Creig Lawrence (NSN: 0-82490), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as leader of a Torpedo Plane Squadron in a strike against enemy naval air installations in the vicinity of the Japanese home island of Kyushu on 18 March 1945. In spite of unfavorable weather conditions which necessitated a low altitude attack and in the face of anti-aircraft fire he led his squadron in a glide bombing attack with great skill and determination. He personally scored four direct bomb hits on a large hangar and the rest of his squadron scored many bomb hits on hangars, parked airplanes, fuel tanks and other enemy air installations. Great damage to this enemy naval air base in the Japanese homeland was caused by the attack. His courage, determination and devotion to duty in leading the attack were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.