Superscout ( Brice H. Barnes ) AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

[MORTARDUDE]

We ( Vietnam Vets in particular ) spend a lot of time on here beating each other up about politics and other stuff. We sometimes forget all that we have in common. As Sis as so eloquently stated, if we could all just talk to each other, life would be so much simpler. Anyway, I have obtained a copy of Keith Nolan's book "The Battle for Siagon : Tet 1968"... a great read, as are all of his books. Our Superscout is featured on pages 211 - 13, 214, 215 - 216, 217, 218, 220 - 221, 223 - 24, and 257. I am going to include a few items I noted in the book, and the citation is below. I just want to say THANKS for your service. A great big HUG and a WELCOME HOME SOLDIER, JOB WELL DONE !!!!

( if I mis-stated something Brice, please let me know. Thanks. )

--- pivot kicked a VC with AK47 knocking the gun out of his hand and taking him prisoner, after his M16 failed to fire.

--- carried a woman, child, and small boy ( all at the same time ! ), and all civilians, through a hail of gunfire and to safety.

--- fought in two separate firefights on this day, the last one for four hours.

--- On two occasions directed Cobra and Huey gunships by hand signals from the ground.

--- was wounded by a close up VC hand grenade blast during the second firefight.

--- may have helped prevent the execution of 30 POWs by our MPs.

--- got between Scouts and MPs after the MPs killed a Scout when the MPs lost control and started shooting everything that moved.....preventing "friendly-fire" bloodshed.

---- the second firefight of the day started with an ambush of eight APCs. The first two tracks ( Brice was on the first one ) passed. The third was hit by three RPGs. Tracks four and five received broadside RPG hits, while track six turned to fire and then was hit by another RPG.

--- Thirteen soldiers won the Distinguished Service Cross in and around Saigon that day, including Brice.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.


http://www.kerrypardue247.com/Scouts-DSC.html


First Lieutenant Brice H. Barnes
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM
APO SAN FRANCISCO 96375
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 2034
3 May 1968
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced.
BARNES, BRICE H. 02326319 FIRST LIEUTENANT INFANTRY United States Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, APO 96370
Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross
Date Action: 31 January 1968
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Barnes distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as a scout platoon leader while defending against the communists Lunar New year offensive. Enemy forces gained control of Widow's Village and entrenched themselves in its northeast sector. Lieutenant Barnes took command of all friendly forces in the town and launched a fierce assault on the insurgents. Repeatedly disregarding his safety, he braved withering fire to direct civilians in the battle area to safety. Bullets struck all around him, but he refused to take cover and led a house to house sweep, personally destroying a recoilless rifle and an automatic weapon position. His platoon's aggressive assault and relentless fire forced the Viet Cong to withdraw. Later in the day his unit was sent to the nearby village of Ho Nai. His platoon was quickly engaged by a hostile force firing machine guns, recoilless rifles and automatic weapons. Caught in the murderous crossfire, Lieutenant Barnes dismounted his personnel carrier and moved among his men to direct their counterfire on the enemy. Part of his platoon became isolated and pinned down by the intense Viet Cong barrage, and he exposed himself to a hail of bullets and shrapnel to direct gun ship strikes on the enemy positions surrounding the beleaguered element. His fearless leadership and heroic actions inspired his men to fight furiously and inflict a decisive defeat on the numerically superior and determined Viet Cong forces, resulting in seventy-seven enemy killed and ten captured. First Lieutenant Barnes' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United Sates Army.
Authority: By direction of the President under provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.