John Joseph Hourihan

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John Joseph Hourihan, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. PAUL JONES (DD-230), and for extreme courage and complete disregard for his own personal safety in the face of heavy opposition during the Battle of Makassar Strait, on the night of 23 – 24 January 1942, in delivering a successful attack upon enemy Japanese forces off Balikpapan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies. By ignoring enemy challenges and skillful maneuvering, Lieutenant Commander Hourihan used the element of surprise in sinking with torpedoes and damaging by gunfire numerous vessels in the enemy’s concentration of cruisers, destroyers and various types of transports and cargo ships, after which an orderly retirement was effected. This action and the high morale of his command reflect most favorably on Lieutenant Commander Hourihan’s ability a leader and officer, and are in keeping with the best traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942)