The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Paul Rodgers Barker (NSN: 0-303822), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Liberator search plane on 31 October 1944. During a surprise minimum altitude attack on a large armed Japanese tanker, a direct hit was scored on the starboard bow which resulted in its sinking. A second low-level run across the tanker’s port quarter was made in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and a near miss was scored. Despite the serious damage his plane received on the second attack, he skillfully effected a safe return to his base. His actions on this occasion demonstrated outstanding courage, aggressiveness and professional skill, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.