- SURNAME
Barnes
- FORENAME
Eric Marvin
- UNIT
1 Recon Bn (1 MarDiv)
- RANK
Captain
- NUMBER
089806
- DATE OF DEATH
25th March 1967
- AGE
24
- GRAVESITE
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia Section 10 Site 10610-A
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Waterbury (formerly Windsor), Connecticut
born 4.5.1942 Connecticut
father Frank Eric Wollencott Barnes (1907-1962)
mother Margaret Ingalls (nee Marvin) Barnes (1909-2004)
husband of Noreen (nee Butler) Barnes (1941-1997) ,61 Joy Road, Waterbury, Connecticut
1 son Eric William,1 daughter Dierdra Elizbeth
attended Willard Day School, Troy
attended Loomis School, Windsor
attended Tuft University
U.S. Navy
U.S.M.C. 1964
26 Marine Regiment (C Company,1 Bn) 1966
award Silver Star (South Vietnam 1966)
1 Recon Bn
KIA Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C. Panel 17E Line 41
Waterbury Vietnam War Memorial
DATE OF DEATH:
25-Mar-1967CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Eric Marvin Barnes (MCSN: 0-89806), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, on 24 September 1966 in connection with military operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On that day, two platoons from First Lieutenant Barnes' company were escorting a tank-infantry column, composed of two tank platoons and two amphibian tractors, from the Battalion Command Post to Dong Ha when they were ambushed by an enemy force of approximately forty North Vietnamese Army regulars. Two tanks were hit almost immediately by enemy anti-tank rocket fire and automatic weapons fire, resulting in numerous casualties. The enemy's carefully planned attack, clever camouflage and heavy volume of fire momentarily rendered the column ineffective. Quickly assessing the situation, and disregarding his own personal safety, First Lieutenant Barnes left the tank on which he was riding and braved deadly enemy fire to move the length of the column, organizing a perimeter defense. He personally directed his men in returning fire and in protecting the wounded. First Lieutenant Barnes then effectively coordinated air strikes on the enemy positions. As medical evacuation helicopters arrived over the area amid deteriorating weather conditions, First Lieutenant Barnes skillfully guided them in by using a tank searchlight to mark the landing zone. Under his determined leadership, the tank column routed the enemy, and moved to the safety of friendly positions where the wounded were safely evacuated. As a result of his quick and fearless actions, the enemy suffered eleven confirmed killed and twenty estimated dead. By his exceptional courage, daring initiative, military proficiency, and loyal devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Barnes upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
• https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/39743FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12761651/eric-marvin-barnes
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