John W. Ailes III

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John W. Ailes, III, Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. CASSIN YOUNG (DD-793), in action off Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 12 April 1945. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.