John W. Thompson

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Torpedoman First Class John W. Thompson, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a diver during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. SQUALUS on 23 May 1939. Torpedoman First Class John Thompson’s courage and devotion to duty in making repeated dangerous dives during the most difficult diving conditions characterizes conduct far above and beyond the call of duty. (Advanced one grade in rating without examination.)