John DAY Slighton

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John Day Slighton, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron ONE (VT-1), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against the enemy fleet west of the Marianas Islands during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. By his brilliant airmanship, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Slighton contributed materially to the success of our operations in this historic engagement, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.