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Casualty Info
Home Town Dayton, OH
Last Address Dayton, OH
Casualty Date Oct 29, 1967
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Gun, Small Arms Fire
Location Tay Ninh (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Brooklyn Heights Cemetery - Brooklyn Heights, Ohio
Casualty Occurrence: This Soldier ws killed by hostile small arms fire during a combat operation, in Tay Ninh Province.
POSTED ON 8.5.2010, POSTED BY: DARIN CAIN. TO A FATHER I DON'T RECALL. I'm your son, but I turned 3 the day you died and don't recall you. I'm 20 years older than you were when you were killed. Very strange. How were we alike at 25, I wonder? You have two grandsons. You live on in us. Rest well, father, until we meet again.
POSTED ON 5.29.2007. POSTED BY: LES GUZIK. CHILDHOOD FRIEND. "Manny" and I played together when we were kids. My dad worked with his dad in Cleveland, Ohio. I think about his parents often and the suffering they endured at their loss. "Manny" was his dad's shining star. I am tormented about this every time my mind goes here.The photo shows (left to right) Jerry H., Les Guzik and Manville Barb.
Darrell Norrod, Riverside, Ohio, 45424, USA. I didn’t know this 2LT., from my home town, but you would think, that somebody, from Dayton, Ohio who did, would have enough time, to remember this brave soldier, who fought for freedom, for people who he didn't, even know! Sir, you and all the others, who died in Vietnam will, not be forgotten as long, as I live! Please read the book, “Dreams Outback,” by Darrell Norrod. Oct 29, 2008.
Comments/Citation:
The Silver Star Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Manville L. Barb, United States Army, for heroic actions on 28 October 1967, while serving as a platoon leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, on a combat operation in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Barb's unit assaulted a strongly fortified Viet Cong base camp in the Boi Loi Woods and sustained numerous casualties during the assault. Lieutenant Barb led his men on a second assault in an attempt to eliminate a key enemy bunker which was inflicting heavy casualties upon the friendly forces. Although aware that the position was covered by enemy sniper fire, he personally led his platoon forward while skillfully deploying his men into an assault line. In the gathering dusk, Lieutenant Barb initiated the assault by firing his weapon and throwing hand grenades upon the hostile emplacements. Completely disregarding the intense enemy fire, Lieutenant Barb continued to move forward while encouraging his men and directing their fire. Having obtained a position within twenty feet of the enemy emplacements, Lieutenant Barb was mortally wounded by the intense hostile fire. Due to Lieutenant Barb's valorous actions and outstanding leadership, the enemy positions were overrun and the mission successfully completed. Lieutenant Barb's personal bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Action Date: 28-Oct-67, Service: Army, Rank: Second Lieutenant, Company: Company A, Battalion: 1st Battalion, Regiment: 27th Infantry Regiment, Division: 25th Infantry Division
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase III Campaign (1967-68)
From Month/Year
June / 1967
To Month/Year
January / 1968
Description This campaign was from 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968.The conflict in South Vietnam remains basically unchanged. As Operation JUNCTION CITY ended, elements of the U.S. 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the forces of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam swung back toward Saigon to conduct another clearing operation, MANHATTAN. This took peace in the Long Nguyen base area just north of the previously cleared "Iron Triangle."
South Vietnamese Armed Forces became more active and capable under U.S. advisors. During the year the Vietnamese Special Forces assumed responsibility for several Special Forces camps and for the CIDG companies manning them. In each case all of the U.S. advisors withdrew, leaving the Vietnamese in full command.
With an increased delegation of responsibility to them, the South Vietnamese conducted major operations during 1967, and, in spite of VC attempts to avoid battle, achieved a number of contacts.
Despite the success of U.S. and South Vietnamese Army operations, there were indications in the fall of 1967 of another enemy build-up, particularly in areas close to Laos and Cambodia. In late October, the VC struck again at the Special Forces Camp at Loc Ninh. Fortunately Vietnamese reinforcements saved the camp. At the same time, approximately 12,000 VC troops converged on a Special Forces camp at Dak To. This camp was located in northern Kontum Province, where the borders of Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam meet. In response to this potential threat, the U.S. and South Vietnam committed a total of sixteen battalions to the region to counter a disturbing enemy resurgence at Kontum and Loc Ninh.