The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Stuart Barton (NSN: 0-157210), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights against the enemy on 29 October 1944. Flying as a section leader of carrier-based fighter planes assigned to a fighter sweep mission in the Philippine Islands area, he led his section in a courageous counter assault on an enemy formation that was initiating an attack on other members of his group who were carrying out their mission at low altitude. His prompt action disrupted the enemy formation and averted their attack. In the resulting aerial battle he shot down one of the enemy planes. On the same day while orbiting outside the destroyer screen of his own task group he sighted an enemy plane attempting an attack on surface units of our fleet. He immediately attacked and shot down the enemy thus preventing an assault on our own surface units. His coolness, courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.