John Mark Yeaman

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John Mark Yeaman, Lieutenant [then 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 and Division Leader in Composite Squadron TWENTY-SEVEN (VC-27), embarked from the U.S.S. SAVO ISLAND (CVE-78), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet during the battle for Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands, on 25 October 1944. A daring and aggressive airman, Lieutenant Yeaman skillfully led his torpedo division through a barrage of intense antiaircraft fire to score two hits on an enemy cruiser. His superb combat tactics and courage contributed to the success of our forces in this decisive engagement and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.