Doyle Clayton Barnes

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Doyle Clayton Barnes (0-137136), Machinist, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Machinist Barnes was launched to defend the ship against an imminent attack by Japanese Torpedo Planes. The situation had already become so critical that he made his take-off from the carrier deck amidst the blasts of the ship’s five-inch guns, which were directing their fire at the incoming enemy planes. With marked coolness and indomitable courage, Machinist Barnes, immediately upon becoming airborne, pressed home attacks against two of the enemy planes, shooting down two Torpedo Planes. His aggressive attacks on the enemy planes were skillfully executed despite the intense anti-aircraft fire from our ships. The outstanding courage and determined skill displayed by Machinist Doyle were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942)