Medal of Honor: Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. – Vietnam War – December 18, 1965

Name: Harvey C. Barnum, Jr.
Rank: Captain (then First Lieutenant)
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Reinforced)
Place and Date: Ky Phu, Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam – 18 December 1965
Entered Service At: Cheshire, Connecticut
Born: July 21, 1940 – Cheshire, Connecticut
Departed: Survived
Accredited To: Connecticut

Summary of Action

On December 18, 1965, near Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province, Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, was suddenly pinned down by intense and extremely accurate enemy fire. The company became separated from the remainder of the battalion by more than 500 meters of open, fire-swept terrain, and casualties mounted rapidly.

First Lieutenant Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., acting with complete disregard for his own safety, conducted a hazardous reconnaissance to locate enemy positions and targets for supporting artillery. During this movement, he found the rifle company commander mortally wounded and the radio operator killed. Barnum immediately rendered aid to the dying officer, then removed the radio from the fallen Marine and strapped it to himself.

Assuming command of the rifle company on the spot, Barnum moved directly into the heaviest fire, rallying the scattered units, reorganizing them to replace lost leadership, and personally leading attacks against enemy positions that continued to pour deadly fire into the Marines. His calm under fire, rapid decisions, and repeated exposure while pointing out targets steadied the badly shaken company.

Provided with two armed helicopters, Barnum moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control air attacks against firmly entrenched enemy positions, while simultaneously directing a platoon in a successful counterattack against key enemy strongpoints. After securing a small area, he requested and directed the landing of transport helicopters to evacuate the dead and wounded.

Barnum then assisted in mopping up remaining resistance and completing the seizure of the battalion’s objective. His leadership under fire transformed a near-disaster into a successful engagement and saved the lives of numerous Marines.

Medal of Honor Citation

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. When the company was suddenly pinned down by a hail of extremely accurate enemy fire and was quickly separated from the remainder of the battalion by over 500 meters of open and fire-swept ground, and casualties mounted rapidly. Lt. Barnum quickly made a hazardous reconnaissance of the area, seeking targets for his artillery. Finding the rifle company commander mortally wounded and the radio operator killed, he, with complete disregard for his safety, gave aid to the dying commander, then removed the radio from the dead operator and strapped it to himself. He immediately assumed command of the rifle company, and moving at once into the midst of the heavy fire, rallying and giving encouragement to all units, reorganized them to replace the loss of key personnel and led their attack on enemy positions from which deadly fire continued to come. His sound and swift decisions and his obvious calm served to stabilize the badly decimated units and his gallant example as he stood exposed repeatedly to point out targets served as an inspiration to all. Provided with 2 armed helicopters, he moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly entrenched enemy while skillfully directing 1 platoon in a successful counterattack on the key enemy positions. Having thus cleared a small area, he requested and directed the landing of 2 transport helicopters for the evacuation of the dead and wounded. He then assisted in the mopping up and final seizure of the battalion’s objective. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.