Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to this family) from Vice President Spiro T. Agnew at the White House on November 4, 1969, for his actions as a private first class with Company A, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade, US Army, on November 12, 1967, at Dak To, Kon Tum Province, South Vietnam. After graduating from high school in 1964, he joined the US Army. Following his combat training, he was sent to South Vietnam as a grenadier and on November 4, 1969, while on patrol during the Battle of Dak To, his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion. During the battle, he smothered a live enemy grenade with his body to protect nearby soldiers and was killed as a result. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Barnes distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while engaged in combat against hostile forces. Pfc. Barnes was serving as a grenadier when his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese force, estimated to be a battalion. Upon seeing the crew of a machine-gun team killed, Pfc. Barnes, without hesitation, dashed through the bullet-swept area, manned the machinegun, and killed nine enemy soldiers as they assaulted his position. While pausing just long enough to retrieve more ammunition, Pfc. Barnes observed an enemy grenade thrown into the midst of some severely wounded personnel close to his position. Realizing that the grenade could further injure or kill the majority of the wounded personnel, he sacrificed his life by throwing himself directly onto the hand grenade as it exploded. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, he averted a probable loss of life and injury to the wounded members of his unit. Pfc. Barnes' extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army."