Navy Federal Credit Union

William Barnes graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1935. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Ludlow (DD-438)

    Action Date:

    August & September 1944

    Commander 8th Fleet: Serial 5543 (October 31, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander William Roy Barnes (NSN: 0-75017), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. LUDLOW (DD-438), during the amphibious invasion of Southern France in August and September 1944. As a unit of the fire support group in action against enemy coastal defenses on the right flank of the main assault area, Lieutenant Commander Barnes approached the hostile shore through mine infested waters and in the face of heavy return fire conducted accurate and devastating gunfire against enemy installations and concentrations. On 25 and 26 August 1944, he fearlessly operated his ship in the unswept waters off Marseilles to protect mine sweeping formations under fire of shore batteries and enabled these units to complete the vital operations, by the skillful laying of smoke and vigorous counter battery fire. On 5 September 1944, he assisted in a daring attack against a number of human torpedoes resulting in the destruction of two and the recovery of their operators as prisoners of war. His determined overall conduct of patrol, screening and shore bombardment missions contributed materially to the expeditious establishment of the beachhead and the rapid advance of the Allied assault forces in clearing enemy occupied territory. The extraordinary ability, cool and courageous action and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Commander Barnes were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Division:

    U.S.S. Ludlow (DD-438)

    Action Date:

    May 18 & 19, 1944

    Commander 8th Fleet: Serial 4892 (August 24, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] William Roy Barnes (NSN: 0-75017), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. LUDLOW (DD-438), operating as a unit of an anti-submarine hunting group in the search for and destruction of an enemy submarine off Oran, Algeria, on 18 and 19 May 1944. After making sound contact with the hostile craft, Commander Barnes skillfully coordinated his attack with that of the U.S.S. NIBLACK to carry out brilliantly executed depth charge pattern on the submerged enemy vessel and assist in forcing it to the surface to be sunk by the accurate combined gunfire of both ships. By his determined aggressiveness, cool courage and leadership, Commander Barnes contributed materially to clearing the Mediterranean coast routed of hostile U-Boats and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Barnes is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)