The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Technical Sergeant Robert Charles Barnett (MCSN: 338809), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED ELEVEN (VMF-311), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on the night of 24 May 1945. When a hostile twin-engine bomber landed on the main runway of our airfield and deposited numerous heavily armed suicide troops to destroy our parked aircraft, Master Technical Sergeant Barnett immediately engaged several of the enemy although armed only with a .45 caliber pistol and, after his ammunition was exhausted, quickly organized a detail of his men to assist in the attack. Although unarmed himself, he directed his men in the ensuing engagement in which several of the hostile troops were killed and during which he was seriously wounded by a grenade. His courage, leadership and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Master Technical Sergeant Barnett and the United States Naval Service.