The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Roger Hall Barnard (MCSN: 0-52696), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 May 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Barnard’s battalion was assigned the mission of assuming operational control of Operation ALLEN BROOK in the Got Noi Island area of Quang Nam Province. In a minimum of time, Lieutenant Colonel Barnard analyzed the tactical situation and formulated a bold and aggressive course of action which called for a night river crossing followed by a night march through enemy controlled territory in order to gain maximum surprise and tactical advantage over the enemy. As a result of this maneuver, he gained and effectively maintained continuous contact with the hostile force for three days. During this entire period, he fearlessly positioned himself with the unit in heaviest contact in order to control and coordinate his units and to more effectively employ supporting arms. On numerous occasions, he aggressively maneuvered his unit dangerously close to supporting fire, enabling the Marines to inflict heavy losses on the pinned down enemy while sustaining minimal friendly casualties. Ignoring his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire in order to advance to vantage points where he could rapidly evaluate the tactical situation and decisively employ elements of his command and supporting fires. Due largely to his sound, tactical judgment, composure under fire and clear, concise orders, his battalion successfully accomplished its assigned mission and accounted for 162 enemy soldiers killed during the three-day engagement. By his courage, dynamic leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Barnard upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.