The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Marvin E. Barnett (NSN: 0-83347), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while leading a flight of jet fighter planes in Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-TWO (VF-172), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), as a part of a large strike group attacking a vital industrial target near Sokhyon, North Korea, on 28 October 1951. Exhibiting cool courage in the face of great odds, Commander Barnett executed his assigned mission of flak suppression by coordinating attacks and leading his flight in repeated covering action through a heavy concentration of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. These unrelenting attacks destroyed many of the enemy batteries and rendered the fire of those remaining ineffective, greatly contributing to the success of the entire action. His superb airmanship, daring tactics and intrepid leadership reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.