THE WALL OF FACES

Eric and I formed "The Barnstormers" a rock and roll band of some repute and for four years, explored the boundries of music. He was also my Freshman year roomate and Fraternity brother (Delta Upsilon). He was the most charismatic person I have known, an extremely talented individual in music and art.















I find it impossible to convey how much all who knew him during his college years, respected and liked him.















I can only say, that each day, as I play songs on my guitar, that we performed countless times at countless gigs, I see him there with me. He has never left me.















A painting I created of The Barnstormers, with Eric, is hanging in the Amplified Music section of the new music building at Tufts University which was dedicated to him and The Barnstormers.















I am a better person for having known Eric, and what better complement can one make about an individual?

Thank you Captain Barnes. Your service is appreciated and will always be remembered.

You're still with me Brother. Semper Fi

Troy Man Killed in Viet Action

A former Troy Marine Captain has been killed in action near Da Nang, Vietnam.
He is Capt. Eric Marvin Barnes, 24, son of the late Eric W. Barnes, who was head of the Russell Sage College English department, and Mrs. Barnes, now of Windsor, Conn.
Captain Barnes, who had served in the Navy before entering the Marine Corps, was recently awarded a Silver Star.
He was educated in schools in Carlisle, Pa.; Berlin, Germany; the old Willard Day School in Troy; the Loomis School in Windsor and Tufts University.
He was shot from ambush while on patrol. He had just completed a leave in Honolulu with his wife, the former Noreen Butler of Waterbury, Conn.
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by two children, Eric and Deirdre; a brother, Charles of Windsor; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Marvin of Tryon, N.C., formly of Troy; and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. William Barnes of Memphis, Tenn.
Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

SEMPER FIDELIS, SIR!

Thanks to Sylvia Augusteijn, Digital Collections and Archives, Tufts University for her help in recovering the above information.

Marines Capt. Eric Barnes
Killed in Vietnam War

Marine Capt. Eric M. Barnes, 24, of Waterbury, formerly of Windsor, recently awarded the Silver Star Medal in Vietnam, was killed Saturday, it was announced by the Marine Corps.
Capt. Barnes was fatally injured in the "abdomen and thigh from an explosive device while on patrol," according to the Marine Corps. The incident occured near Da Nang.
He received the Silver Star Medal at a recent ceremony at Da Nang for braving deadly enemy fire to turn a North Vietnamese army ambush into a death trap for enemy forces, it was reported.
Capt. Barnes spent a short leave later in Honolulu, Hawaii, with his wife, Noreen Butler Barnes, of 61 Joy Rd., Waterbury. Mrs. Barnes returned to Waterbury a few days ago with the citation which her husband received for bravery during the action on September 24, 1966.
Recently he was also promoted to the rank of Captain and transferred to the 1st Force Co., 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
Capt. Barnes was serving as platoon commander with the "C" Co., 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment and was in charge of an escort detail for a tank-infantry column when they were ambushed by approximately 40 North Vietnamese army regulars. Two tanks were hit by enemy anti-tank rocket fire.
"Quickly assessing the situation and disregarding his own personal safety, Barnes left the tank on which he was riding and organized perimeter defense," The citation said.
He directed his men in returning fire, protecting the wounded and coordinating air strikes on the enemy positions. Under Barnes' leadership, the tank column routed the enemy and moved to the safety of friendly positions. Eleven enemy troops were killed during the action.
"By his exceptional courage," the citation reads, "daring initiative, military proficiency and loyal devotion to duty, Barnes upheld the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service."
Capt. Barnes was a graduate of Loomis School and Tufts University, Class of 1964, where he was in an ROTC unit. He was commissioned the following September and assigned to Vietnam last July.
Besides his widow, he leaves his mother, Mrs. Eric W. Barnes of Windsor, and South Harwich, Mass.; a son, Eric William Barnes, 22 months; and a daughter, Dierdra Elizbeth eight months.

SEMPER FIDELIS, SIR!

Thanks to Sylvia Augusteijn, Digital Collections and Archives, Tufts University for her help in recovering the above information and photo.