21 December 1998 Although I was ten years old when Jim died, I can still remember the vivid blue uniforms of those chosen for the Color Guard and how proud but sad we were for our loss. We sometimes wonder how his life would have turned out, but time goes on and we know he is in God's hands. Janet L. Hulcha and Thomas A. Barrett 01 September 2001 Photograph provided by Howard B. Matthews, Jr., Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, who entered the Corps with Jim Barrett, 14 Feb 1965.

 

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to CORPORAL JAMES A BARRETT UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a rifleman with the Second Platoon, Company C, First Reconnaissance Battalion in Vietnam on 10 October 1966. Corporal Barrett was a member of a thirteen man reconnaissance patrol with the mission of observing the valley in the vicinity of Long Binh, Quang Ngai Province, for enemy movement. at 1355, while moving from their observation post to a helicopter landing zone, they encountered heavy small-arms fire and grenades against the patrol's point and Corporal Barrett was wounded in the initial stages of the fire fight. Although seriously wounded, he employed his weapon against several Viet Cong at a range of two to three meters and then began a desperate attempt to help the fallen point man. In extreme pain and unable to move the Marine's body, he began trying to pull the pin of a hand grenade but was hit again by enemy fire and mortally wounded. By his inspiring devotion to duty and indomitable fighting spirit, Corporal Barrett upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. FOR THE PRESIDENT, //s//SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WASHINGTON D C 20380 March 22, 1967 Mr. and Mrs. James E. Barrett 1115 ï¿ 1/2 McNeilly Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15216 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Barrett: I wish to assure you of my deep appreciation of the conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity of your son, the late Corporal James A. Barrett, U. S. Marine Corps, in Vietnam on 10 October 1966 for which he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal by the Secretary of the Navy. I know you will cherish this award in memory of your dear son. The Marine Corps shares your pride in his heroic conduct. Sincerely, WALLACE M. GREENE, JR. General, U. S. Marine Corps Commandant of the Marine Corps

 

A memorial from his brother and sister, Thomas A. Barrett and Janet L. Hulcha hulcha@yahoo.com  21 Dec 1998

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