John Andrew Barnes, III
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| John Andrew Barnes, III | |
|---|---|
| April 16, 1945 - November 12, 1967 | |
 PFC Barnes |
|
| Place of birth | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Place of death | Kontum, Vietnam |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Unit | 173rd Airborne Brigade |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |  - Medal of Honor |
John Andrew Barnes III (April 16, 1945 - November 12, 1967) was an American Private First Class in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. For conspicuous gallantry in Dak To, Vietnam, Barnes was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Barnes was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and there he entered the U.S. Army. He was dispatched to Vietnam as part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade on May 31, 1966. Serving in Company C of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, Barnes served as a grenadier. On 12 November 1967, while patrolling in the Kontum province, Barnes' unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion. During the battle, Barnes manned a machine gun that had lost its crew to enemy fire and was credited with nine enemy kills. While retrieving more ammunition, Barnes dove on top of a grenade that had landed among American wounded in order to use his body to protect them from the blast. The grenade exploded, killing Barnes.
PFC Barnes was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.
Barnes was buried in Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham, Massachusetts. His name inscribed on Panel 29E - Row 084 of the Vietnam War Memorial.
[edit] References
- Medal of Honor — Barnes, John. Mishalov.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
- John Andrew Barnes, III (1945-1967). Find A Grave Memorial. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
- PFC John A. Barnes III. Medal of Honor Recipients, 173rd Airborne Brigade. U.S. Army. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
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