The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Electronics Technician Seaman Paul K. Barnes (NSN: B-166570), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 11 December 1970 during operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. As the automatic-weapons man of a five-man SEAL waterborne guard-post, Seaman Barnes distinguished himself in combat when an enemy sampan with four occupants brought his craft under fire, wounding his patrol leader. Disregarding his own safety, Seaman Barnes proceeded to place heavy automatic-weapons fire upon the enemy, resulting in the elimination of the attackers and the sinking of their sampan. At one time during the engagement, enemy fire struck his weapon but he continued firing. Subsequently, his own sampan sank in four feet of water, drowning out radio communications. Seaman Barnes called in the light SEAL support craft by the use of emergency signals while attending to two wounded shipmates. When aid arrived, he assisted the wounded aboard and administered medical attention until a rescue helicopter removed the wounded to a hospital. He then accompanied a patrol back to the area of contact to attempt the retrieval of enemy supplies and weapons which sank with the enemy sampan. By his exemplary performance and courage under fire, Seaman Barnes upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.