The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*BARKER, JEDH COLBY
Rank and organization: Lance Corporal,
U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place
and date: Near Con Thein, Republic of Vietnam, 21 September 1967. Entered service
at: Park Ridge, N.J. Born: 20 June 1945, Franklin, N.H.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty while serving as a machine gunner with Company F. During a reconnaissance
operation L/Cpl. Barker's squad was suddenly hit by enemy sniper fire. The squad
immediately deployed to a combat formation and advanced to a strongly fortified enemy
position, when it was again struck by small arms and automatic weapons fire, sustaining
numerous casualties. Although wounded by the initial burst of fire, L/Cpl. Barker boldly
remained in the open, delivering a devastating volume of accurate fire on the numerically
superior force. The enemy was intent upon annihilating the small marine force and,
realizing that L/Cpl. Barker was a threat to their position, directed the preponderance of
their fire on his position. He was again wounded, this time in the right hand, which
prevented him from operating his vitally needed machinegun. Suddenly and without warning,
an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the few surviving marines. Unhesitatingly and with
complete disregard for his personal safety, L/Cpl. Barker threw himself upon the deadly
grenade, absorbing with his body the full and tremendous force of the explosion. In a
final act of bravery, he crawled to the side of a wounded comrade and administered first
aid before succumbing to his grievous wounds. His bold initiative, intrepid fighting
spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death undoubtedly
saved his comrades from further injury or possible death and reflected great credit upon
himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his
country.
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