The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign John D’Arc Lorenz (NSN: 0-95747), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Battery Officer on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Ensign Lorenz was stationed as Battery Officer of an 11-inch gun mount. With all but one man and himself of the gun crew killed or wounded, he coolly assessed the damage and determined that fires in the vicinity and in the ready magazines directly below the gun mount were under control. After this he directed three men in maintaining an effective fire of his battery throughout the remainder of the attack. Ensign Lorenz’s conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.