Barbey paid a visit to Washington, D.C. in June 1944 to discuss his needs but his trip was mistimed, for the Joint Chiefs of Staff had left for Europe to observe the Invasion of Normandy and Barbey had to wait for Admiral King to return.
In their discussions, King emphasised that it was his intention that MacArthur's advance would proceed no further than Mindanao.
This was scuttled in September 1944 by his own admirals, who recommended a descent on Leyte.
By July enough amphibious ships had arrived in SWPA to allow Barbey to divide the VII Amphibious Force.
Fechteler assumed command of Amphibious Group 8, while Amphibious Group 9 was formed under Rear Admiral Arthur D. Struble.
In 1945, a third group, Amphibious Group 6, was formed under Rear Admiral Forrest B. Royal.
For the invasion of Leyte, MacArthur and his naval commander, Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid expected that Barbey would continue in command of the amphibious forces, but Nimitz preferred the commander of the III Amphibious Force, Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson, who was senior and in Nimitz's opinion, more experienced.
In the end, a compromise was reached, with both amphibious forces participating, and Kinkaid in overall command.
For his part, Barbey was awarded a second Navy Distinguished Service Medal.
His citation read:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Daniel Edward Barbey (NSN: 0–7930), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of the Amphibious Forces of the Seventh Fleet, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Southwest Pacific Area from 2 July 1944 to 1 February 1945.
Initiating a series of ably executed operations, Vice Admiral Barbey and the intrepid forces under his command effected successful surprise landings at Noemfoor on 2 July, at Sansapor on 30 July, and at Morotai on 15 September 1944, thereby establishing Southwest Pacific Air Forces within effective striking distance of the Philippines.
As Commander of the Northern Attack Force at Leyte on 20 October, he participated with distinction in the highly successful operation which gained lodgment for our forces in the Philippine Islands and, as Commander of the Northern Attack Force at Lingayen Gulf on 9 January 1945, he again shared equally with the Commander Southern Attack Force the credit for the brilliant amphibious operation which finally assured the re-conquest of Luzon and the Philippine Archipelago.
By his inspiring leadership and outstanding performance of duty in the planning and execution of these vital operations, Vice Admiral Barbey upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Promoted to vice admiral on 9 December 1944, Barbey directed 30 more assaults in 1945, mostly in the southern Philippines and Borneo.
He conducted the last amphibious operation of the war, the landings at Balikpapan, Borneo on 1 July 1945.
In all, "Uncle Dan", as he was known, planned and conducted 56 amphibious operations, landing more than one million Australian and American soldiers and marines.
For his wartime service in the Southwest Pacific, the U.S. Army awarded Barbey the Army Distinguished Service Medal.
On Australia Day in 1948 the Australian government honored him with an honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire, which was presented at the Australian embassy in Washington by Norman Makin, the Australian Ambassador to the United States.
Barbey paid a visit to Washington, D.C. in June 1944 to discuss his needs but his trip was mistimed, for the Joint Chiefs of Staff had left for Europe to observe the Invasion of Normandy and Barbey had to wait for Admiral King to return. In their discussions, King emphasised that it was his intention that MacArthur's advance would proceed no further than Mindanao. This was scuttled in September 1944 by his own admirals, who recommended a descent on Leyte. By July enough amphibious ships had arrived in SWPA to allow Barbey to divide the VII Amphibious Force. Fechteler assumed command of Amphibious Group 8, while Amphibious Group 9 was formed under Rear Admiral Arthur D. Struble. In 1945, a third group, Amphibious Group 6, was formed under Rear Admiral Forrest B. Royal. For the invasion of Leyte, MacArthur and his naval commander, Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid expected that Barbey would continue in command of the amphibious forces, but Nimitz preferred the commander of the III Amphibious Force, Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson, who was senior and in Nimitz's opinion, more experienced. In the end, a compromise was reached, with both amphibious forces participating, and Kinkaid in overall command. For his part, Barbey was awarded a second Navy Distinguished Service Medal. His citation read:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Daniel Edward Barbey (NSN: 0–7930), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of the Amphibious Forces of the Seventh Fleet, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Southwest Pacific Area from 2 July 1944 to 1 February 1945. Initiating a series of ably executed operations, Vice Admiral Barbey and the intrepid forces under his command effected successful surprise landings at Noemfoor on 2 July, at Sansapor on 30 July, and at Morotai on 15 September 1944, thereby establishing Southwest Pacific Air Forces within effective striking distance of the Philippines. As Commander of the Northern Attack Force at Leyte on 20 October, he participated with distinction in the highly successful operation which gained lodgment for our forces in the Philippine Islands and, as Commander of the Northern Attack Force at Lingayen Gulf on 9 January 1945, he again shared equally with the Commander Southern Attack Force the credit for the brilliant amphibious operation which finally assured the re-conquest of Luzon and the Philippine Archipelago. By his inspiring leadership and outstanding performance of duty in the planning and execution of these vital operations, Vice Admiral Barbey upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Promoted to vice admiral on 9 December 1944, Barbey directed 30 more assaults in 1945, mostly in the southern Philippines and Borneo. He conducted the last amphibious operation of the war, the landings at Balikpapan, Borneo on 1 July 1945. In all, "Uncle Dan", as he was known, planned and conducted 56 amphibious operations, landing more than one million Australian and American soldiers and marines. For his wartime service in the Southwest Pacific, the U.S. Army awarded Barbey the Army Distinguished Service Medal. On Australia Day in 1948 the Australian government honored him with an honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire, which was presented at the Australian embassy in Washington by Norman Makin, the Australian Ambassador to the United States.
Daniel E. Barbey