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.
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