John Andrew Barnes, III

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John Andrew Barnes, III
April 16, 1945(1945-04-16) – November 12, 1967 (aged 22)
PFC Barnes
Place of birth	Boston, Massachusetts
Place of death	Kontum, Vietnam
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Private First Class
Unit	173rd Airborne Brigade
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	- Medal of Honor

John Andrew Barnes III (April 16, 1945–November 12, 1967) was an American Private First Class in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. For conspicuous gallantry in Dak To, Vietnam, Barnes was awarded the Medal of Honor.

1 Biography
2 Medal of Honor citation
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Biography

Barnes was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and there he entered the U.S. Army. He was dispatched to Vietnam as part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade on May 31, 1966. Serving in Company C of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, Barnes served as a grenadier. On 12 November 1967, while patrolling in the Kontum province, Barnes' unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion. During the battle, Barnes manned a machine gun that had lost its crew to enemy fire and was credited with nine enemy kills. While retrieving more ammunition, Barnes dove on top of a grenade that had landed among American wounded in order to use his body to protect them from the blast. The grenade exploded, killing Barnes.

PFC Barnes was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.

Barnes was buried in Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham, Massachusetts. His name inscribed on Panel 29E - Row 084 of the Vietnam War Memorial.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

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 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.