JOHN R. HOOVER, O732250, Major, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action on 6 June 1944, and from 16 June through 19 June 1944 in aerial photo reconnaissance missions over enemy held territory. On 6 June 1944, faced with low cloud formations making normal reconnaissance impossible Major Hoover elected to fly at an exceptionally low altitude in order to obtain vital photographs of enemy held territory. On 16 June 1944, he volunteered to fly the first shuttle mission to Russia, and successfully carried out his assignment in spite of hazardous weather conditions which ordinarily would have caused a pilot to return to his base. After departing from Russia, he flew to Italy and completed his flight by returning to England, bringing important photographs of installations deep in enemy territory. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Major Hoover upon these occasions reflect highest credit upon himself and the Military Forces of the United States.

COL Hoover resides in Virginia.