The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Nathaniel C. Barker, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 12 May 1864, while serving with Company E, 11th New Hampshire Infantry, in action at Spotsylvania, Virginia. Six Color Bearers of the regiment having been killed, Sergeant Barker voluntarily took both flags of the regiment and carried them through the remainder of the battle.