The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Marvin Donald Barnes (ASN: 56835370), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Infantry Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Barnes distinguished himself by gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force on 28 February 1969, while serving as Squad Leader on a combat operation. Sergeant Barnes’ squad was on a search and destroy operations when his patrol encountered an enemy initiated contact. Unhesitatingly he moved through the bullet swept area to maneuver his men and gain fire superiority. Throughout the ensuing battle, Sergeant Barnes personally directed the retaliatory fire of his men while repeatedly exposing himself to intense small arms and automatic weapons fire. Sergeant Barnes, seeking to maintain contact, led his men on his hands and knees through the dense brush in order to find the enemy. While searching for the enemy, Sergeant Barnes was wounded in the left shoulder by a well-concealed sniper but refused medical treatment. Sergeant Barnes again began crawling on his hands and knees in search for the enemy when he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Barnes’ extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.