The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Nathaniel C. Barker (NSN: 0-11857), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Gunnery Officer of the U.S.S. PHILADELPHIA (CL-41), prior to and during the amphibious invasion of the Italian mainland in September 1943. Demonstrating extraordinary skill and energy, Commander Barker brought the batteries of his ship to the highest possible standards of training and combat readiness for the assault operations. Despite their extended nature his ship was continuously prepared to carry out shore bombardment missions and on innumerable urgent occasions delivered accurate and effective naval gunfire in support of the Army ground forces which was a large contributing factor in the successes achieved against the enemy. During the Italian operations, the naval gunfire support rendered was instrumental in repelling enemy counterattacks which seriously threatened the Salerno beachhead. Throughout the course of these operations, the U.S.S. PHILADELPHIA was subjected to constant and severe enemy aerial attack and her anti-aircraft batteries provided strong protection against these aerial threats in addition to destroying ten of the attacking enemy planes. The exceptional ability, perseverance, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Commander Barker reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Barker is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)