THE WALL OF FACES

My dad was one of the wounded that John saved on November 11, 1967. Dad held John in his arms as he died. I live every day trying my best to be worthy of John's sacrifice and what he did for our family.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Don Martindale is especially poignant. May you rest in eternal peace hero.

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Sky Soldier.

John Andrew Barnes

DATE OF BIRTH: April 16, 1945
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Boston, Massachusetts
HOME OF RECORD:
Boston, Massachusetts

Medal of Honor
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Division: 173d Airborne Brigade
GENERAL ORDERS:
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 73 (November 20, 1969)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class John Andrew Barnes, III (ASN: 21336509), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, on 12 November 1967. Private First Class 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, Private First Class Barnes, without hesitation, dashed through the bullet swept area, manned the machinegun, and killed nine enemy soldiers as they assaulted his position. While pausing just long enough to retrieve more ammunition, Private First Class 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. Private First Class 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 United States Army.

Private First Class John Andrew Barnes III, Served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.