The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Bernard L. Barber (ASN: 0-496109), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the North African Theater of Operations as Pilot of a P-38 type aircraft. On 2 February 1943, Lieutenant Barber led his flight as escort to six B-25’s, which attacked a convoy in the Sicilian Straits. Enemy fighters made repeated assaults on the bomber formation. Lieutenant Barber’s skill and gallantry in destroying one hostile fighter and in leading his flight in the destruction of six others, enabled the bombers to make a successful run, which resulted in severe damage to the enemy vessels. Lieutenant Barber’s courage and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.