The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class James E. Barnett (NSN: 8348908), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Corpsman with a Marine Rifle Platoon of the SIXTH Marine Division on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, on 17 May 1945. During an attack by his platoon against a key enemy defensive position on the Naha-Shuri line, the Corpsman of the adjacent platoon became a casualty. On his own initiative, he set up a forward evacuation point making it possible for him to treat the wounded from both assault platoons. On five occasions he crossed an open field through withering enemy fire without regard for his own personal safety to bring wounded men to his aid station. Despite heavy enemy fire, he gave medical aid to all the wounded exhibiting a high degree of skill. His courage and untiring efforts contributed to saving the lives of many of those men. His heroic conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.