The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Barry E. Jarvis, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as the Platoon Sergeant for Second Platoon, Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, on 29 November 2010. Sergeant First Class Jarvis’ courage under fire, sacrifice and selfless service reflect great credit upon himself, Bravo Troops, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 506th Regimental Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant Barry E. Jarvis distinguished himself by extremely valorous service as the Platoon Sergeant for Second Platoon, Bravo Troop, 1-61 Cavalry during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 29 November 2010. During a partnered Afghan National Army, Afghan Border Police and U.S. Army patrol, Second Platoon, Bravo Troop was conducting 155-mm. Rocket Assisted Projectile registration from an Afghan Border Police observation post in Pachir Wa Agam District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. As the first artillery round impacted, an Afghan Border Patrolman opened fire on Second Platoon Soldiers observing the registration, instantly killing five U.S. personnel. Upon hearing the shots, Sergeant First Class Jarvis and First Lieutenant Janotka immediately moved toward the sound of the firing. As Sergeant First Class Jarvis came into view of the scene, he realized that both he and the Platoon Leader were in the gunman’s life of fire. Sergeant First Class Jarvis immediately pushed First Lieutenant Janotka out of the line of fire, and in doing so, knowingly placed himself in harm’s way to prevent his platoon leader from being engaged. As Sergeant First Class Jarvis was turning to engage the gunman, he was mortally wounded. Sergeant First Class Jarvis’ courage under fire, selfless service and total disregard for his own safety are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division and the United States Army.