John Andrew Barnes III

He covered one bomb with his body to shield wounded comrades

John Andrew Barnes III was born in Boston in 1945 and grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts. He graduated from Dedham High School in 1964 and entered the Army the following year. After training at Fort Pickett, he became a paratrooper and went to Vietnam in May 1966. He served as a grenadier in Company C, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade.

On 12 November 1967, during the fighting near Dak To in Kontum Province, his company was attacked by a North Vietnamese force estimated at battalion strength. When enemy fire killed a machine-gun crew, Barnes crossed the exposed ground and took over their weapon. He fired on the attackers, helping sustain the company's defence.

While obtaining more ammunition, he saw a grenade land among severely wounded Americans near his position. With no time to move them clear, he threw himself onto it. The explosion killed him, but his action shielded the wounded men from the blast.

His parents received his posthumous Medal of Honor from Vice President Spiro Agnew in November 1969. He was buried in Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham. His decorations also included two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. In April 1970, family, veterans and townspeople gathered for the dedication of a memorial in his home town, linking his final act with the school and community from which he had entered the Army.

Official citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Private First Class Barnes distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while engaged in combat against hostile forces. 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 machine gun team killed, Private First Class 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, 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 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. 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 U.S. Army.