Samuel S. Barbiero, received the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of his extraordinary heroism while a technical sergeant serving as radio operator of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Germany on 26 November 1943. During a fierce enemy fighter attack, Sergeant Barbiero was hit by a 20 mm cannon shell which amputated his left foot and tore away part of the leg. In the same attack the plane itself was badly damaged. Despite the gravity of his own condition and the intense pain he was suffering, he put a tourniquet on his leg and hopped to his radio to send out distress signals. Finding the radio damaged beyond use, he set about repairing it, and was able to send out a signal. Despite the heavy damage, the plane reached England, but ran completely out of gas before landing could be made. A crash-landing became necessary. Again exercising unparalleled courage and coolness and disregard for self, he gathered the other members of the crew in the radio compartment into his arms, and bracing himself with his one sound leg, cushioned the impact of the crashlanding with his own body. The courage, devotion to duty, and moral fiber demonstrated by Sergeant Barbiero on this occasion served as an inspiration of the highest order to all his crew members and to all members of this command, and reflect highest credit upon himself, his organization, and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Mr. Barbiero joined the L.O.V. in 1953 and resided in New Jersey.