John Burton Bain

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to John Burton Bain, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942 during the “Air Battle of Midway.” Ensign Bain was inadvertently separated from his section leader during the course of an initial assault against a large number of Japanese fighters. Nevertheless he pressed home six more consecutive attacks against numerically superior enemy fighters, shooting one down in flames and damaging or driving off the others. The outstanding courage and determined skill displayed by Ensign Bain were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 311 (February 1943)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John Burton Bain, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Air Battle of the Coral Sea. With accurate understanding of his objective and bold perseverance in attaining it, Ensign Bain destroyed one Japanese fighter plane and courageously attacked several others. His high devotion to duty in the performance of a dangerous and difficult task contributed measurably to the defense of our forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 308 (November 1942)