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 Lieutenant Commander Robert Crozier Barnes (NSN: 0-82498), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy. Lieutenant Commander Barnes serves as Squadron Commander and Pilot of Fighter Squadron EIGHTY-ONE (VF-81) aboard the U.S.S. NATOMA BAY (CVE-62) on 6 January 1945. When he sighted a twin-engine enemy aircraft approaching friendly forces he aggressively attacked with no regard for its defensive armament. He attacked with such skill and marksmanship that the enemy aircraft was destroyed before reaching its goal. Shortly thereafter on the same flight he sighted another enemy aircraft approaching our surface forces. He again attacked and destroyed the second plane within close range of the friendly forces he was protecting. His aggressive flying, able marksmanship, and devotion to duty is considered to have saved friendly forces from a damaging attack. His conduct throughout was 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 Lieutenant Commander Robert Crozier Barnes (NSN: 0-82498), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while engaging strong enemy surface forces in the Battle of Samar Island on 25 October 1944. As Squadron Commander of Composite Squadron EIGHT-ONE (VC-81), attached to the Escort Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. NATOMA BAY (CVE-62), he requested permission to lead the fighter aircraft of his squadron with bombs and personally led them in an attack against enemy ships. As leader of this flight, consisting of four torpedo bombers and twelve fighter planes, he located the enemy forces and disposed his aircraft in such a way that despite a withering barrage of anti-aircraft fire, no losses were sustained in the dive bombing attack, which was pressed closely home to obtain hits on an enemy cruiser. Following the dive bombing attack he re-formed his flight and made repeated strafing attacks through intense anti-aircraft fire, with such effect that one light cruiser and two destroyers were damaged and slowed down and later reported destroyed by other units. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.