The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Charlie Hubert Barfield, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron ONE (VF-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the heart of the Japanese homeland at the Kure Naval Base, Japan, on 24 July 1945. Ensign Barfield pressed home his attack in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire of all calibers from warships of many types augmented by a ring of shore-based batteries. By scoring a direct hit on a large enemy aircraft carrier, he contributed materially to the success of the Task Force attack. Ensign Barfield’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.