The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman Third Class Gary L. Barnes (NSN: B-706764), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force while serving as a Corpsman attached to Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 23 February 1968, Company F was conducting a search and destroy operation in the village of Thon Bin Thai, in Quang Nam Province, when the lead platoon came under intense fire from a large enemy force employing automatic weapons, rockets, and hand grenades. In the initial moments of the attack, several Marines were wounded, and elements of the platoon were temporarily pinned down in open terrain. With complete disregard for his own safety, Hospitalman Barnes moved throughout the hazardous area, treating one casualty after another and supervising their evacuation to a secure area. Observing four seriously wounded Marines lying only fifteen meters from an enemy position, he unhesitatingly braved a heavy volume of hostile fire as he advanced to aid the casualties. Determining that two of the Marines might not survive without immediate medical attention, he moved the injured men to the relative security of a small dike, rendered first aid, and placed them aboard an Ontos which evacuated them to the landing zone. Then boldly returning across the fire-swept terrain, Hospitalman Barnes assisted in moving the remaining casualties to a covered position where he treated their wounds and comforted them until they were evacuated. His prompt and fearless actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of two Marines and in preventing further injury or possible death to others. By his courage, superb initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Hospitalman Third Class Barnes upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.