John Hersey Chapman, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John Hersey Chapman, Jr., Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then 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 Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VBF-85), embarked from the U.S.S. SHANGRI-LA (CV-38), during a strike at enemy Japanese Naval Forces, near Kure Harbor, Honshu, Japan, on 24 July 1945. Displaying great daring and airmanship despite intense and extremely accurate anti-aircraft fire from enemy ship and shore installations, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Chapman pressed home his attack and scored a direct hit with a 1,000-pound bomb on the enemy cruiser, TONE. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Chapman’s courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 02067 (October 12, 1945)