Philippines campaign Daniel E. Barbey

lsts landing supplies @ blue beach, morotai

barbey paid visit washington, d.c. in june 1944 discuss needs trip mistimed, joint chiefs of staff had left europe observe invasion of normandy , barbey had wait admiral king return. in discussions, king emphasised intention macarthur s advance proceed no further mindanao. scuttled in september 1944 own admirals, recommended descent on leyte. july enough amphibious ships had arrived in swpa allow barbey divide vii amphibious force. fechteler assumed command of amphibious group 8, while amphibious group 9 formed under rear admiral arthur d. struble. in 1945, third group, amphibious group 6, formed under rear admiral forrest b. royal. invasion of leyte, macarthur , naval commander, vice admiral thomas c. kinkaid expected barbey continue in command of amphibious forces, nimitz preferred commander of iii amphibious force, vice admiral theodore s. wilkinson, senior , in nimitz s opinion, more experienced. in end, compromise reached, both amphibious forces participating, , kinkaid in overall command. part, barbey awarded second navy distinguished service medal. citation read:

the president of united states of america, authorized act of congress, 9 july 1918, takes pleasure in presenting gold star in lieu of second award of navy distinguished service medal vice admiral daniel edward barbey (nsn: 0–7930), united states navy, exceptionally meritorious , distinguished services government of united states, in duty of great responsibility commander of amphibious forces of seventh fleet, in action against enemy japanese forces in southwest pacific area 2 july 1944 1 february 1945. initiating series of ably executed operations, vice admiral barbey , intrepid forces under command effected successful surprise landings @ noemfoor on 2 july, @ sansapor on 30 july, , @ morotai on 15 september 1944, thereby establishing southwest pacific air forces within effective striking distance of philippines. commander of northern attack force @ leyte on 20 october, participated distinction in highly successful operation gained lodgment our forces in philippine islands and, commander of northern attack force @ lingayen gulf on 9 january 1945, again shared equally commander southern attack force credit brilliant amphibious operation assured re-conquest of luzon , philippine archipelago. inspiring leadership , outstanding performance of duty in planning , execution of these vital operations, vice admiral barbey upheld highest traditions of united states naval service.

rear admiral barbey (left) vice admiral thomas c. kinkaid during staff meeting.

promoted vice admiral on 9 december 1944, barbey directed 30 more assaults in 1945, in southern philippines , borneo. conducted last amphibious operation of war, landings @ balikpapan, borneo on 1 july 1945. in all, uncle dan , known, planned , conducted 56 amphibious operations, landing more 1 million australian , american soldiers , marines. wartime service in southwest pacific, u.s. army awarded barbey army distinguished service medal. on australia day in 1948 australian government honored him honorary commander of order of british empire, presented @ australian embassy in washington norman makin, australian ambassador united states.