John L. Wirth

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to John L. Wirth, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), embarked from the U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28), during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 19 June 1944. As a member of a twelve-plane fighter group flying combat air patrol over his Task Group, he answered a call to intercept an enemy group of thirty or more fighters about fifty miles distant and, gallantly leading his air group in the face of these heavy odds, pressed home repeated attacks against the enemy and was personally responsible for the destruction of four of the fifteen hostile aircraft shot down by the six planes from his carrier. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Wirth’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.