John F. Carey

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John F. Carey (0-5650), Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Division Commander and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Leading his division in a dauntless and aggressive assault against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, Captain Carey shot down one Navy Aichi Type dive bomber, thereby aiding in the disruption of enemy plans and lessening of the effectiveness of their attack. His courageous determination, maintained at great personal risk against tremendous odds, contributed to the success of our forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Untied States Naval Forces.

Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 10, 1942