Medal of Honor: John A. Barnes III – Vietnam War – November 12, 1967
When his brothers lay wounded and a grenade fell among them, one paratrooper made an instant choice. Private First Class John A. Barnes III didn’t hesitate—he threw himself on the grenade and gave his life so that others could live.
November 12, 2025
Name: John Andrew Barnes III
Rank: Private First Class
Organization: U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade
Place and Date: Dak To, Republic of Vietnam – 12 November 1967
Entered Service At: Boston, Massachusetts
Born: April 16, 1945 – Boston, Massachusetts
Departed: November 12, 1967 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Massachusetts
Summary of Action
In the thick jungle near Dak To, Pfc. John A. Barnes III and his airborne comrades came under assault by a North Vietnamese battalion. Explosions shook the ground and the air filled with gunfire as waves of enemy troops pressed the attack against their perimeter.
When a nearby machine gun crew was cut down, Barnes didn’t wait for orders. Ignoring the deadly crossfire, he sprinted across open ground, reached the weapon, and poured fire into the onrushing enemy—killing nine attackers and halting their advance.
After pausing only long enough to reload, he spotted a live enemy grenade that had landed among several wounded Americans. There was no time to think, only to act. Barnes dove onto the grenade, absorbing the full force of the blast with his body.
His selfless sacrifice saved the lives of his wounded brothers and turned the tide of the fight. Pfc. John Andrew Barnes III gave his life without hesitation, proving that courage can shine brightest in the darkest moment. He was 22 years old.
Medal of Honor Citation
Place and date: Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, 12 November 1967.
Entered service at: Boston, Mass.
Born: 16 April 1945, Boston, Mass.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Barnes distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while engaged in combat against hostile forces. Pfc. 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, Pfc. 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, Pfc. 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. Pfc. 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.
