for service as set forth in the following

               CITATION:

                       For heroism and extraordinary achievement  in aerial  flight while serving  with  Marine  Medium  Helicopter   Squadron  364  in  th e Republic  of Vietnam  on  20  November  1968.    During  Operation   MEADE  RIVER,  First Lieutenant Barnes launched as the Copilot aboard the seventh aircraft in a flight of 14 CH-46 transport  helicopters assigned  to helilift  the assault elements of  a Marine battalion  into an enemy controlled area southwest of DaNang.  Arriving over  the designated area,  he skillfully  monitored his  instruments and  directed the  delivery of suppressive  machine gun fire,  enabling his aircraft to land,  dis- embark its assault unit,  and return to  An Hoa  and  embark  the  second  incre- ment.   Undaunted  by  the  heavy  volume  of  enemy  mortar,  small  arms, and automatic  weapons fire,  and realizing  the urgency  of expediting the  reinforce- ment of the heavily engaged  ground units which were  cordoning a large  hostile force,  First Lieutenant Barnes  resolutely  braved  the  intense  enemy  fire as he assisted his aircraft  commander during  the  approach  to  the  hazardous  zone. When his CH-46 encountered an extremely heavy volume of hostile fire, wound- ing the pilot,  First Lieutenant Barnes immediately  seized control of the  aircraft and skillfully maneuvered it to prevent crashing in the battle area.  Climbing out of the dangerous area, he rapidly departed for the Marble Mountain Air Facility where  his pilot was  quickly  evacuated to a  medical  station.   First Lieutenant Barnes'  courage,  superior airmanship  and unwavering  devotion to duty in the face  of great personal  danger  were instrumental  in the accomplishment of  the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

                                                                     For the President

                                                                     /S/ L. F. Chapman, Jr.

                                                                    Commandant of the Marine Corps