The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*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, Mass. Born: 16 April 1945, Boston, Mass.
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 machinegun team killed, Pfc. Barnes, without hesitation, dashed through the
bullet swept area, manned the machinegun, 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 is 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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