The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John Jay Barrett (MCSN: 0-85356/1677903), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-263), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 10 February 1969, Captain Barrett launched as Section Leader on the second mission of the night for the emergency medical evacuation of casualties heavily engaged with a North Vietnamese force in Quang Nam Province. Arriving at the designated area, he was informed that the area was un-secured and that evacuation was critical. Electing to attempt an emergency extraction he commenced an approach with all aircraft lighting extinguished, entering the fire-swept area. While on final approach he was wounded by fragments that hit the cockpit, but he ignored his painful wounds and continued his approach and skillfully maneuvered to a landing in the darkened area. Completely disregarding his own safety, he steadfastly maneuvered the helicopter in a dangerously exposed position until the casualties were embarked, and then departed for the medical facility at DaNang. When informed of another wounded casualty among the friendly force, Captain Barrett unhesitatingly flew to the wounded man’s position, embarked him, and was lifting out of the area when he was informed that three soldiers seriously wounded by an enemy booby trap required immediate evacuation. Guided only by a single strobe light he skillfully maneuvered into the hazardous area, extracted the wounded Vietnamese and departed the zone for the medical facility at DaNang. By his courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Barrett was instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous missions and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain John Jay Barrett (MCSN: 0-85356/1677903), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-263), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 26 May 1969, Captain Barrett launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency extraction of a seven-man reconnaissance team which was pinned down by hostile fire in a ravine approximately three miles west of the An Hoa Combat Base. Arriving over the designated area, Captain Barrett found that the Marines were completely surrounded by a numerically superior enemy force and had sustained two casualties. As the zone was unsuitable for a landing, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft in a low-altitude approach and when he saw a signal from the team, positioned the helicopter in a hover above the jungle canopy. As he stabilized his aircraft and a ladder was being extended to the Marines, the helicopter came under intense fire from hostile soldiers position both above on the ridges and below in the ravine. Although he was advised by his escort aircraft to depart the area because of the heavy volume of hostile fire, Captain Barrett realized that the team members’ only chance for survival was an immediate extraction, therefore, despite the fact that is was now dark, he voluntarily remained in position while the Marines worked their way through the jungle to the ladder. As he maintained his helicopter in a hover, the gunners and the escorting gunships delivered suppressive fire at the enemy and, even after his gunners had expended all their ammunition, he refused to leave the area until all the team members were attached to the ladder. When the last man was secured, Captain Barrett slowly proceeded out of the hazardous zone to An Hoa where he took the casualties aboard and then transported them to a medical facility. By his courage, superb aeronautical ability and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Barrett was responsible for saving the lives of seven Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.