The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Jack Eugene Barber (MCSN: 1066030), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Leader of a Machine Gun Squad of Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 12 September 1951. Assigned the mission of rendering overhead fire support to the attacking infantrymen during the company’s assault against a heavily fortified and strongly defended enemy hill position, Corporal Barber expertly selected a firing position and directed heavy fire on the hostile strong points although constantly exposed to devastating enemy fire. When the fire of his gun was masked by friendly troops, he voluntarily led four of his men to carry ammunition and stretchers to the heavily engaged platoons, again exposing himself to intense and accurate enemy mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire. During the final stages of the assault, he seized an automatic rifle and charged aggressively forward, pouring heavy fire on the entrenched enemy before he was struck by a burst of hostile fire and fell, mortally wounded. By his outstanding courage, inspiring leadership and steadfast devotion to duty, Corporal Barber aided materially in the success achieved by his company and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.