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 Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class Garland Bernard Barkley (NSN: 8380806), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area during the period 9 May 1945 to 28 July 1945. Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class Barkley completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class Garland Bernard Barkley (NSN: 8380806), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against a determined and skillful enemy. On 1 June 1945, while a member of the crew of a Navy Liberator mission over the enemy bastion of Singapore, he took part in an hour-long engagement with enemy fighter aircraft and so distinguished himself that he and other members of the crew were able to shoot down one enemy plane, probably destroy two others and inflict damage upon five additional enemy aircraft. While taking part in this fight his plane also afforded utmost protection to a damaged Privateer plane which had been hit early in the encountered and covered it from 11,000 feet down to 1,200 feet when the crippled plane plunged into Singapore Straits. The manner in which he performed his duties in the face of enemy fire, the courage with which he fought the skillful attacks of enemy aircraft and the achievements that were secured as a result of the mission all were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.