The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Arnold W. Barden (MCSN: 0-33801), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight during operations against the enemy in Korea. Captain Barden, serving as a pilot attached to a Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron, engaged in a night intruder mission on the night of 23 February 1952. Carefully reconnoitering the supply routes of his assigned sector, he discovered near Kwach’on -ni a scattered convoy of moving vehicles which he directed the accompanying flare-dropping aircraft to illuminate. Quickly assessing the mountainous terrain in the near vicinity and selecting an avenue of approach and retirement Captain Barden executed a series of napalm, bombing and strafing attacks, which resulted in the complete destruction of nine vehicles. Despite the hazards of mountainous terrain, restricted visibility and anti-aircraft fire, he persisted in his attack until all his ordnance was expended. Captain Barden’s alertness, superb airmanship and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Arnold W. Barden (MCSN: 0-33801), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight during operations against the enemy in Korea. Captain Barden, serving as a pilot attached to a Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron engaged in a night intruder mission over central North Korea on the night of 28 October 1941. He carefully reconnoitered the supply routes of the sector to which he was assigned with the assistance of a supporting flare dropping aircraft until at length he noted the lights of a convoy in the vicinity of Ichon. Inasmuch as the convoy appeared to be entering an assembly area, he elected to remain clear until activity ceased and then illuminated the site with flares carried on his own aircraft. A vehicle park was thus revealed and he immediately initiated a series of napalm and strafing attacks, persisting until all ordnance was expended despite intense and continuous automatic weapons fire which commenced with his first attack. He retired from the area leaving behind eight destroyed and two extensively damaged vehicles. Captain Barden’s alertness, efficient action, and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.