The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Ralph Buckner Barden (NSN: 0-301587), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as pilot of a carrier-based Torpedo Bomber during operations against the enemy at the important fleet anchorage near Kure, Honshu, on 28 July 1945. While participating in a coordinated attack against major units of the Japanese Fleet in their heavily defended anchorage, he successfully attacked a light cruiser scoring two direct hits, despite intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from shore positions and from the several ships dispersed throughout the area. When in his dive he found himself unable to hit his assigned target, a heavy cruiser, he quickly chose another valuable ship and hit it. Upon recovering from his dive, he saw a fighter bomber pilot in distress and escorted the stricken plane eighty miles to a position of safety, there establishing communications with the rescue submarine and the rescue seaplane and remaining with the pilot after he made a water landing until he was rescued. His heroic conduct and determination to inflict damage upon the enemy were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.