Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (j.g.), U.S. Navy Reserves

Unit:

Pilot Topedo Squadron 9 (VT-9), U.S.S. Shamrock Bay (CVE-84), U.S. Navy

Citation:
"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John Hawthorne Kirwin, 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 in Torpedo Squadron NINE (VT-9), embarked from the U.S.S. SHAMROCK BAY (CVE-84), in action on 7 April 1945, while deployed over Kyushu, Japan. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”