John Daniel Kurtz Drake

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John Daniel Kurtz Drake, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14), embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 26 October 1944. Braving intense enemy anti-aircraft fire from powerful units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Drake pressed home a close-range determined attack to score a direct hit on an enemy cruiser and contribute materially to the subsequent sinking of the hostile vessel. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 01229 (February 6, 1945)