The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander William Roy Barnes (NSN: 0-75017), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. LUDLOW (DD-438), during the amphibious invasion of Southern France in August and September 1944. As a unit of the fire support group in action against enemy coastal defenses on the right flank of the main assault area, Lieutenant Commander Barnes approached the hostile shore through mine infested waters and in the face of heavy return fire conducted accurate and devastating gunfire against enemy installations and concentrations. On 25 and 26 August 1944, he fearlessly operated his ship in the unswept waters off Marseilles to protect mine sweeping formations under fire of shore batteries and enabled these units to complete the vital operations, by the skillful laying of smoke and vigorous counter battery fire. On 5 September 1944, he assisted in a daring attack against a number of human torpedoes resulting in the destruction of two and the recovery of their operators as prisoners of war. His determined overall conduct of patrol, screening and shore bombardment missions contributed materially to the expeditious establishment of the beachhead and the rapid advance of the Allied assault forces in clearing enemy occupied territory. The extraordinary ability, cool and courageous action and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Commander Barnes were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.