The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Barnett Person (MCSN: 616367), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company A, Third Tank Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 8 May 1967, Gunnery Sergeant Person’s tank section had been positioned in a night defensive perimeter in support of Company D, First Battalion, Fourth Marines. During the early morning hours, the area came under intense enemy mortar and artillery fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. When the initial attackers penetrated the perimeter defenses in several places, Gunnery Sergeant Person, reacting instantly, calmly directed his 90-mm. canister fire into the oncoming Viet Cong. Disregarding enemy attempts to destroy his tank by exploding satchel charges against the turret, he fearlessly increased his fire, employing both his main armament and his machine guns. Moving his tank in pursuit of the enemy, he prevented them from overrunning the command post. Informed that some of the defensive bunkers were occupied by North Vietnamese soldiers, Gunnery Sergeant Person quickly moved his tank along the trench line, firing his main armament with deadly accuracy into the enemy occupied positions. As a result of his actions, several Viet Cong were killed and others were forced to flee. In large measure due to his bold initiative, courageous action and exceptional professional skill in the employment of his tank, he was responsible for killing over forty North Vietnamese soldiers, preventing the perimeter from being overrun and undoubtedly turned what could have been a potentially dangerous situation for friendly troops into a complete rout of a numerically superior enemy force. By his uncommon leadership, fearless action and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Gunnery Sergeant Person inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.