The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Robert R. Barnes (NSN: 0-419886), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a Navy carrier-based fighter plane on 28 July 1945. While participating in a fighter strike against major enemy warships in Kure Harbor, Japan, he braved heavy, intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire to press home a dive bombing attack and score a direct bomb hit on the Japanese battleship ISE, thus contributing to the final destruction of the last effective units of the once mighty Japanese Navy. His courage and skillful airmanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.