The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Machinist Doyle Clayton Barnes (NSN: 0-137136), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Machinist Barnes was launched to defend the ship against an imminent attack by Japanese torpedo planes and fighters. The enemy’s attack was so fully developed that Machinist Barnes’ take-off was made amid the blasts of the ship’s 5″ guns which were firing at the incoming enemy planes. He pressed home his attacks against two of the enemy’s fighters and also made aggressive attacks against two of the enemy’s torpedo planes, shooting two of them down. His attacks against the torpedo planes were carried out despite the heavy anti-aircraft fire from our own ships. His courage, determination and utter disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.