The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Signal Corps) David Barbour Barton (ASN: 0-015261), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Signal Officer, 36th Signal Company, 36th Infantry Division, in action on 3 June 1944 in the vicinity of Velletri, Italy: Lieutenant Colonel Barton, Division Signal Officer, pressed forward to personally supervise the laying of wire in the forward areas as the break-through to ***** was beginning. Commanders were operating from the most forward positions, relentlessly pushing the attack against fiendishly defended positions. Fully realizing the urgency of constant communications, Lieutenant Colonel Barton drove on reconnaissance in front of our lines and was killed by enemy artillery and small arms fire. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Barton, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.