The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Richard R. Barton (MCSN: 0-29741), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 28 February to 17 March 1945, as a tactical and gunnery observer for artillery and naval gunfire. During this period, First Lieutenant Barton participated in a total of forty-nine flights over enemy territory at dangerously low altitudes in the face of anti-aircraft and small arms fire, often flying as low as one hundred feet in an unarmed, unarmored plane over enemy territory in order to more efficiently accomplish his mission. Two of these flights were flown at night under extremely hazardous conditions. On 11 March he adjusted artillery fire on a large blockhouse that was impeding the advance of the infantry and completely destroyed this installation and its occupants. On 12 March he flew at a dangerously low altitude in order to observe and adjust artillery fire on an enemy anti-tank gun which was retarding the advance of friendly tanks. On 14 March he destroyed a fuel dump and on 15 March he succeeded in registering several direct hits on a heavily emplaced enemy mortar, causing its destruction. His initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.