A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Colonel Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., US Marine Corps (ret.), received the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. The action for which the award was made took place at Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province. Republic of Vietnam, on 18 Dec 1965. Barnum was then a Lieutenant, serving with Company "H", 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein). His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. When the company was suddenly pinned down by a hail of extremely accurate enemy fire and was quickly separated from the remainder of the battalion by over 500 meters of open and fire-swept ground, and casualties mounted rapidly, Lt. Barnum quickly made a hazardous reconnaissance of the area, seeking targets for his artillery. Finding the rifle company commander mortally wounded and the radio operator killed, he, with complete disregard for his safety, gave aid to the dying commander, then removed the radio from the dead operator and strapped it to himself. He immediately assumed command of the rifle company, and moving at once into the midst of the heavy fire, rallying and giving encouragement to all units, reorganized them to replace the loss of key personnel and led their attack on enemy positions from which deadly fire continued to come. His sound and swift decisions and his obvious calm served to stabilize the badly decimated units and his gallant example as he stood exposed repeatedly to point out targets served as an inspiration to all. Provided with two armed helicopters, he moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly entrenched enemy while skillfully directing one platoon in a successful counterattack on the key enemy positions. Having thus cleared a small area, he requested and directed the landing of two transport helicopters for the evacuation of the dead and wounded. He then assisted in the mopping up and final seizure of the battalion's objective. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the US Naval Service."
On the Secretary of the Navy portal on the Internet appears the following: H. C. "Barney" Barnum, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, (Reserve Affairs). Mr. Barnum was born in Cheshire, Connecticut. He attended Cheshire High School, received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps upon graduation in 1962. Upon retirement Colonel Barnum served as the Principal Director, Drug Enforcement Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense. He has served as an Independent Consultant from 1993 to the present. Mr. Barnum, the fourth Marine to be awarded the nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor, for valor in Vietnam, retired as a colonel from the Marine Corps on August 1, 1989, with more than 27 and one-half years active service. He is a former President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. His assignments include four tours as an artilleryman with the 3rd Marine Division to include two tours in Vietnam; 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing; Guard Officer at Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor and Operations Officer, Hawaiian Armed Forces Police; Weapons Instructor at the Basic School; 2nd Marine Division as an artillery battalion operations and executive officer and subsequently Division Staff Secretary; four years at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island as Commanding Officer, Headquarters Company and 2nd Recruit Training Battalion of the Training Regiment; Chief of Current Operations, US Central Command where he planned and executed the first U.S./Jordanian joint exercise staff as the Commander of U.S. Forces and twice planned and executed operation Bright Star spread over four southwest Asian countries involving 26,000 personnel; attended The Basic School, U.S. Army Field Artillery School, Amphibious Warfare School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Naval War College; Headquarters Marine Corps tours included aide to the Assistant Commandant as a Captain and Deputy Director Public Affairs, Director Special Projects Directorate and Military Secretary to the Commandant as a Colonel. Mr. Barnum's personal medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and gold star in lieu of a second award; The Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V"; Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation; Army Presidential Unit Citation; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Navy Unit Citation; Two awards of the Meritorious Unit Citation; and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (silver). Mr. Barnum assumed his current duties on 23 July, 2001.
From www.homeofheroes.com: It was Military Day at Cheshire High School, Cheshire, Connecticut, and the military service representatives were attempting to recruit students into their respective branches. The junior and senior boys were assembled in the school auditorium, with faculty members observing from the rear of the room as each recruiter got up to give his pitch.
The Air Force recruiter got up to explain the advantages of joining the United States Air Force. He was greeted with catcalls and whistles from the young high-schoolers.
The Army recruiter received the same treatment, as did the Navy recruiter.
Then the Marine recruiter, a seasoned gunnery sergeant, rose and glared.
"There is no one here worthy of being a United States Marine," he growled. "I'm deplored that the faculty in the back of the room would let the students carry on like this. There isn't anybody here I want in my Marine Corps."
When he sat back down, several eager students swarmed around his table.
One of those hovering around the gunny's table was Cheshire High School Senior Class President Harvey Barnum, Jr. He did the paperwork to enlist as a senior in high school and joined the Platoon Leadership Class when he got to St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
He joined the Marine Corps--raised his hand--November 12, 1958.
Colonel Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., USMC (Ret) dedicated his life to the Corps and his service to his country. He retired on August 1, 1989 after more than 27 years of service. Along a distinguished career he served two combat tours in Vietnam, the second after he had already been awarded his Nation's highest award for military valor. Two weeks into his first tour of combat duty, on December 18, 1965, (then) Lieutenant Harvey Barnum proved his courage and leadership abilities in a moment of great crisis, becoming the fourth United States Marine of the Vietnam War to receive the Medal of Honor.
"I was Harvey's Regimental Commander at the time of his action. In fact, I wrote the first draft of his citation. His battalion commander called me with most of the details not long after his company got in from their patrol.
"The part that really got me to thinking about THE MEDAL was the part where he was on the radio trying to get a chopper in to take out his wounded. The way his Battalion Commander told it to me was like this:
"Harvey was on the radio himself and called for the chopper to land on a small hill near the wounded men. The pilot responded that the hill was 'too hot to land in,' or words to that effect. Whereupon, Barney, with the radio on his back, walked out onto the hill and said to the pilot, 'Look down here where I am standing. If I can stand here, by God, you can land here!' And the chopper did, although the hill in fact was under fire at the time. And Barney got his wounded out."
Col. James M. Callender
U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
(From a letter received June 7, 2000)
Colonel Barnum, or "Barney" as those around him know him, continues to serve. After retirement Barney served as the Principal Director, Drug Enforcement Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense before accepting a position as Corporate and Community Affairs Advisor for ARLTEC, Inc. Active in Veterans programs, he is a popular and inspiring speaker and public servant. After his military retirement, Colonel Barnum returned in peace to Vietnam, and walking once again along the road that thrust him into American history 30 years before.
Today Barney Barnum and his wife Martha live in Virginia. Barney continues to serve his nation in a leadership role, having been appointed by the President to the role of Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). As the Immediate Past President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, he recently he wrote:
"The future is full of hope. The (Congressional Medal of Honor) Society has adopted a clear vision...to ensure the lasting legacy of the Medal of Honor and tribute to those who wear it. Together, we will remain focused on programs that will make a difference to future generations of Americans.
Colonel Barnum, welcome to the Hall of Heroes. We invite our visitors to step inside and meet a wonderful man, a proven leader, a dedicated American, and a TRUE hero.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
©1998, 2022. The format of this website and all original statements and narrative included on it are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Factual information may be freely quoted for use in private genealogical research when accompanied by a full source citation, including the date of acquisition. Click here to view the format of a citation for an Internet resource. The publication of large extracts from this site in any form requires prior written consent.
Page built by Gedpage Version 2.21 ©2009 on 07 February 2025