The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General John DeForrest Barker (ASN: 0-11416/38A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as a member of the Executive Administrative Section in the Theater Group of the War Department General Staff and later as Deputy Chief for Air of the Operations Division of the War Department General Staff from February 1944 to September 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Barker and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.