Harvey C. Barnum Jr.
Harvey C. Barnum Jr. | |
---|---|
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) | |
In office January 20, 2009 – September 16, 2009 Acting | |
President | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | Anita K. Blair |
Succeeded by | Juan M. Garcia III |
Personal details | |
Born | Cheshire, Connecticut | July 21, 1940
Spouse |
Martha Hill (m. 1992) |
2nd Battalion, 10th Marines | |
Commands | Battery E, 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines 2nd Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War (WIA) |
Awards | Medal of Honor Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart |
Harvey Curtiss Barnum Jr. (born July 21, 1940) is a retired United States Marine Corps officer who received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. He was the fourth Marine to receive the medal for actions in Vietnam. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1989 after more than 27 years of service. Barnum served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs from July 23, 2001, to January 20, 2008. He also served as Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) from January 21 to April 30, 2009.
Early life and education
Barnum was born July 21, 1940, in Cheshire, Connecticut. He was president of his Freshman and Senior Class at Cheshire High School, where he also played football and baseball. In high school, he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, the “C” Club and the Gym Leaders Club. After graduation from high school, he entered Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire.[1]
Marine Corps
At Saint Anselm College, Barnum joined the Marine Corps’
Second Lieutenant Barnum was ordered to Marine Corps Schools,
From December 1965 until February 1966, Barnum served on temporary duty in
Barnum was promoted to captain in June 1966, after he returned to Hawaii. From March until August 1967, Barnum attended the Associate Field Artillery Officers Career Course, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Transferred to
In October 1968, Barnum returned to South Vietnam where he served as Commanding Officer of Battery E, 2nd Battalion 12th Marines|2nd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. With the 3rd Marine Division
Upon his return from Okinawa, Barnum was assigned as a weapons instructor at The Basic School, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico, where he served until August 1970 at which time he entered the Amphibious Warfare School, graduating in February 1972. He served as Operations Officer,
Barnum served as Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Parris Island, S.C. from 1979 to 1980. In August 1989, Barnum retired from the Marine Corps after more than 27 years of service.
Later life
Upon retirement Barnum served as the Principal Director, Drug Enforcement Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense.[4] He also served as past president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.[4] Barnum then served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs, a position he held from July 23, 2001, to January 20, 2008.[4]
Barnum currently serves on the Segs4Vets and on the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Advisory Board. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation MCLEF.org, the Americans in Wartime Museum and Medifast. He is also on the board of advisors of the Code of Support Foundation, a nonprofit military services organization.[5]
Barnum received several awards throughout his career to include: Connecticut Man of the Year' 67, Honorary Legum Doctorem St Anselm College; Rotary Paul Harris Fellow; Abe Pollin Leadership Award '03, Marine Corps League "Iron Mike" Award; and Military Order of the Carabao Distinguished Service Award.[6]
Barnum is a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.
Awards and decorations
Barnum's medals include:[7]
Medal of Honor | Defense Superior Service Medal | ||||||||||
Legion of Merit | valor device
|
Purple Heart | Meritorious Service Medal | ||||||||
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ valor device | Combat Action Ribbon | Navy Presidential Unit Citation | ||||||||
Army Presidential Unit Citation
|
Joint Meritorious Unit Award | Navy Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star
| ||||||||
Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award | National Defense Service Medal | Vietnam Service Medal w/ 5 service stars | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon | ||||||||
Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ silver star
|
Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation
|
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation
|
Vietnam Campaign Medal | ||||||||
Rifle Expert Marksmanship Badge | Pistol Expert Marksmanship Badge |
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor to
United States Marine Corps
for service as set forth in the following Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Forward Observer for Artillery, while attached to Company H,
Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 18 December 1965. 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 five hundred meters of open and fire-swept ground, and casualties mounted rapidly, Lieutenant 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 own 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 two armed helicopters, he moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly entrenched enemy while skillfully directing one platoon in a successful counterattack in the key enemy positions. Having thus cleared a small area, he requested and directed the landing of two 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 United States Naval Service.[2]
Legacy
The United States Navy
See also
References
- ^ "Harvey C. Barnum Jr., Who's Who in Marine Corps History
- ^ a b "Medal of Honor — 1stLt Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (Medal of Honor citation)". Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-02-20.
- ^ "Assistant Commandant and Medal of Honor recipient visit 22nd MEU (SOC) in IRAQ". 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit – II Marine Expeditionary Force – MCB Camp Lejeune, NC. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "Code of Support Foundation advisory board". codeofsupportfoundation.org. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^
- ^ "Department of the Navy Headquarters, Official Biography". Archived from the original on November 2, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- ^ "USS Harvey C Barnum, Jr. (DDG-124) Naming Ceremony". US Department of Defense. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
External links
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- "Harvey C. 'Barney' Barnum (Interview)". Medal of Honor Series. Pritzker Military Museum & Library. January 18, 2007. Retrieved 2014-09-03.