The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander George Nathan Barker, United States Navy, for distinguished and meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility, first as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Grayton engaged in the important, exacting, and hazardous duty of patrolling waters infested by enemy submarines and mines, and later as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. ISRAEL in the Eastern Mediterranean and as Senior United States representative at Spalato when he was consistently called upon to deal with conditions requiring tact and diplomatic ability, all of which he manifested in a high degree, with the result that harmonious relations were maintained between the various Powers represented at Spalato, and good order preserved in a region where conditions were greatly disturbed.