BARNES, JOHN ANDREW III *
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army. Company C, 1st Battalion. 503d Infantry 173d Airborne Brigade
Place and date: Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, 12 November 1967
Entered service at: Boston, Massachusetts
Born: 16 April 1945, Boston, Massachusetts
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Barnes distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while engaged in combat against hostile forces. Pfc. Barnes was serving as a grenadier when his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese force, estimated to be a battalion. Upon seeing the crew of a machine gun team killed, Pfc. Barnes, without hesitation, dashed through the bullet swept area, manned the machine gun, and killed 9 enemy soldiers as they assaulted his position. While pausing just long enough to retrieve more ammunition, Pfc. Barnes observed an enemy grenade thrown into the midst of some severely wounded personnel close to his position. Realizing that the grenade could further injure or kill the majority of the wounded personnel, he sacrificed his life by throwing himself directly onto the hand grenade as it exploded. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, he averted a probable loss of life and injury to the wounded members of his unit. Pfc. Barnes' extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity At the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest Traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Thanks to SSG David Bata for the above photograph
--- General / Personal ---
Last name: BARNES
First name: JOHN ANDREW III
Home of Record (official): DEDHAM
State (official): MA
Date of Birth: Monday, April 16, 1945
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: PFC
Serial Number: 21336509
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 12B2P
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Tuesday, May 31, 1966
Date of Casualty: Sunday, November 12, 1967
Age at time of loss: 22
Casualty type: (A3) Hostile, died while missing
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Kontum
The Wall: Panel 29E - Row 084