John C. C. Symmes

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 C. C. Symmes, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, 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 FIFTEEN (VF-15, embarked from the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John C. C. Symmes, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, 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 FIFTEEN (VF-15, embarked from the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces while assigned to a fighter sweep mission against enemy aircraft in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944.