The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Barry T. Jones (MCSN: 0-103599), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 August 1968, Company F was supporting friendly forces attempting to seize the Cam Le Bridge in Quang Nam Province from a large North Vietnamese Army force. As First Lieutenant Jones’ platoon crossed an open area during an assault on a well fortified enemy position in the nearby village of Cam Nam, the Marines became pinned down by a heavy volume of hostile fire. Skillfully deploying his squads, First Lieutenant Jones repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he moved from one position to another, shouting words of encouragement to his men and directing the evacuation of casualties. When supporting tanks arrived, he unhesitatingly maneuvered across the hazardous terrain to skillfully direct their suppressive fire and, after the enemy had been defeated, moved to the helicopter landing zone, where he was supervising the evacuation of wounded Marines, when he was injured by hostile mortar fire. Refusing treatment, he continued to assist in removing the casualties and then deployed his men into a previously assigned blocking position before allowing himself to be treated. On the evening of 25 August 1968, First Lieutenant Jones led an aggressive assault against a well entrenched enemy force in Qua Giang Village. With complete disregard for his own safety and armed with only a pistol and hand grenades, he fearlessly attacked an automatic weapons emplacement which had pinned down one of his squads, killing one North Vietnamese soldier and forcing the others to flee. Although seriously wounded during his bold assault and in great pain, he steadfastly continued his determined efforts until gravely weakened by his severe injuries, he consented to be medically evacuated. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty throughout, First Lieutenant Jones upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.