Full-Text Listings of BARNUM Medalof
Honor Citations
The
President, in thename of Congress, has awarded more than 3,400 Medals of Honor
to our nation'sbravest Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen
since thedecoration's creation in 1861.
For years, the citations highlighting these acts of bravery and heroism residedin dusty archives and only sporadically were printed. In 1973, the U.S. Senateordered the citations compiled and printed as "The Committee on Veterans'Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973" (Washington,D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973). That book was updated and reprinted in1979.
The documentation of these three
citations presented to members of theBARNUM Family duplicates that in the
Congressional compilation. Some minormisspelling and other errors are
duplicated from the official governmentvolume. They are likely the result of
errors in the original transcriptions.
BARNUM, HENRY A.
Rank and organization: Colonel, 149th New York State VolunteerInfantry (later brevet Major General, 3rd Brigade/2ndDivision/ XX Army Corps). Place and date: At Chattanooga, Tennessee, 23November 1863. Entered service at: Syracuse, New York Born: 24 September 1833,Jamesville, Onondaga County, New York. Date of issue: July 1889.
Citation:
|
Although suffering severely from wounds, he led his regiment, inciting
the men to greater action by word and example until again severely wounded. |
Link to the 149th New YorkState Volunteer Infantry website
BARNUM, JAMES
Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 1816,Massachusetts. Accredited to: Massachusetts. General Order Number: 59, 22 June1865.
Citation:
|
Barnum served on board the U.S.S. New Ironsides during action in
several attacks on Fort Fisher, 24 and 25 December 1864; and on 13, 14, and
15 January 1865. The ship steamed in and took the lead in the ironclad
division close in shore and immediately opened its starboard battery in a
barrage of well-directed fire to cause several fires and explosions and
dismount several guns during the first 2 days of fighting. Taken under fire
as she steamed into position on 13 January, the New Ironsides fought all day
and took on ammunition at night despite severe weather conditions. When the
enemy came out of his bombproofs to defend the fort against the storming
party, the ship's battery disabled nearly every gun on the fort facing the
shore before the cease-fire orders were given by the flagship. Barnum was
commended for highly meritorious conduct during this period. |
BARNUM, HARVEY C., JR.
Rank and organization: Captain (then Lt.), U.S. Marine Corps, Company H,2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein). Place and date: Ky Phu inQuang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 December 1965. Entered service at:Cheshire, Connecticut. Born: 21 July 1940, Cheshire, Connecticut
Citation:
|
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 2 armed helicopters, he moved
fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly
entrenched enemy while skillfully directing 1 platoon in a successful
counterattack on the key enemy positions. Having thus cleared a small area,
he requested and directed the landing of 2 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 U.S. Naval Service. |
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/BarnhamFamily in England and North America
The information on this site
isdeveloped and maintained by
©1998, 2006. The format of thiswebsite and all original statements and narrative included on it are copyrightedand all rights are reserved. Factual information may be freely quoted for usein private genealogical research when accompanied by a full source citation,including the date of acquisition. Click hereto view the format of a citation for an Internet resource. The publication of large extracts from this site in any formrequires prior written consent.
