Barnes, Marvin Donald, SSG

Casualty Occurrence:  This Soldier was killed by hostile small arms fire while on a combat operation in Binh Dinh Province. 

POSTED ON 1.24.2021. POSTED BY: MARY DEWITT. KLAMATH COUNTY MUSEUM. Klamath Falls OR...Born April 4, 1943 in Merrill, Marvin Barnes graduated from Merrill High School. Following graduation, he was a civilian employee at Kingsley Field Air Force Base, and worked with his father on the family ranch in Merrill before entering the U.S. Army in December, 1967. Barnes was a member of B Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne) 503rd Infantry, 17th Airborne Brigade and was a squad leader on a search and destroy mission when his squad encountered hostile forces. He was survived by two children, Donald and Brenda, of Germany; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Donald Barnes; a brother and two sisters. He was awarded the Silver Star, The Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, The Purple Heart Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, The Military Merit Medal, The Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, The Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

POSTED ON 12.5.2018. POSTED BY: DON BARNES. THE STORY BEHIND THE FACE. Marvin Donald Barnes took a child bride, Virginia Lee Parker, out of her family's household, fathering two children a year and two days apart. His going off to Vietnam kept him from actually knowing his daughter, Brenda Marlene, or his son, Donald Ray, who would join the Marine Corp as an enlisted man, to later become an officer. Marvin's giving his life in Vietnam made it possible for both his children to have a wonderful future - both graduating from college.

Marvin was drafted into the US Army and he arrived in Vietnam 20 November 1968 where he was assigned to B Company,1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry,173rd Airborne Brigade,USARV. It was while his unit was out on a patrol that they were engaged by hostile forces and SSgt Barnes died as a result of a gunshot wound to the body from hostile small arms fire. Survived by his parents,Marion D & Martha C Barnes,his 2 sisters;Myrtle and Kathryn Marie Barnes and a brother;Marlin Dennis Barnes all of PO Box 74,Merrill,OR and his children; Donald R and Brenda M Barnes in c/o Mrs Larry Bellew (ex-spouse of SSgt Barnes) all of New York.

Silver Star Citation

Marvin Donald Barnes Date of birth: April 4, 1943 Date of death: February 28, 1969 Place of Birth: Oregon, Merrill Home of record: Alturas California Status: KIA AWARDS AND CITATIONS Silver Star Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War 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 Staff Sergeant Marvin Donald Barnes (ASN: 56835370), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Infantry Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Barnes distinguished himself by gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force on 28 February 1969, while serving as Squad Leader on a combat operation. Sergeant Barnes' squad was on a search and destroy operations when his patrol encountered an enemy initiated contact. Unhesitatingly he moved through the bullet swept area to maneuver his men and gain fire superiority. Throughout the ensuing battle, Sergeant Barnes personally directed the retaliatory fire of his men while repeatedly exposing himself to intense small arms and automatic weapons fire. Sergeant Barnes, seeking to maintain contact, led his men on his hands and knees through the dense brush in order to find the enemy. While searching for the enemy, Sergeant Barnes was wounded in the left shoulder by a well-concealed sniper but refused medical treatment. Sergeant Barnes again began crawling on his hands and knees in search for the enemy when he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Barnes' extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. General Orders: Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 372 (June 16, 1969) Action Date: February 28, 1969 Service: Army Rank: Staff Sergeant Company: Company B Battalion: 1st Battalion (Airborne) Regiment: 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Infantry Brigade