The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Cavalry) Joseph Rhett Barker, II (ASN: 0-21155), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy (assigned to the 26th Cavalry Regiment, Philippine Scouts), while serving with the Philippine Guerilla Forces, East Central Luzon Guerrilla Area, in action against enemy forces from May 1942 to November 1943, in the Philippine Islands. After the fall of Bataan, Captain Barker evaded the enemy and went back into the mountains, gradually working his way through Japanese lines to join Colonel Thorpe, who had been commissioned by General MacArthur to begin the organization of guerrillas, even before the surrender of the American forces. Captain Barker became Colonel Thorpe’s Executive Officer and succeeded him in command shortly after Colonel Thorpe’s capture by the Japanese. He continued an aggressive and widespread campaign of organization through the Central Plain of Luzon, making his way in the disguise of a priest into the city of Manila, under the very shadow of the enemy’s headquarters. The soundness of his program is evidenced by the fact that, although he was himself betrayed and captured on 14 January 1943, the guerrilla movement continued and contributed in large measure to the ultimate success of our arms in the Battle for Luzon. Captain Barker’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.