The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign William Everson Barrett (NSN: 0-350897), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy while serving as a pilot of a carrier-based torpedo aircraft in the fleet action in the East China Sea on 7 April 1945. He skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a low level coordinated torpedo attack against major units of a Task Force of the enemy fleet including a battleship, cruisers, and destroyers. During the action he attacked the enemy battleship. The Japanese battleship maneuvered radically causing his torpedo to miss. After missing the battleship, the torpedo was aligned on a collision course with an enemy destroyer. A direct hit was scored and the destroyer was seen to sink immediately. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.