Barney Barnum, Cheshire’s Home-Grown Medal of Honor Recipient
Harvey Curtiss Barnum, Jr. is a Cheshire native who graduated from Cheshire High School, where he had served as Class President his Freshman and Senior years. He also played football and baseball and was a member of the Boy Scouts. Following his graduation from Saint Anselm College in 1962, he was commissioned a Marine Reserve second lieutenant. In July 1964, he accepted appointment to the regular Marine Corps and was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1964.
Harvey Curtiss Barnum Jr. “Marine Reserve second lieutenant”
On December 18, 1965, Lieutenant Barnum was serving on temporary duty in Vietnam as an artillery forward observer with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. During Operation Harvest Moon at Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam, the rifle company was suddenly pinned down by enemy fire and the commander was mortally wounded. After aiding the dying commander, Barnum removed the radio from the dead radio operator, took over command of the company, and reorganized it for defense and successful evacuation after completing its mission. On February 27, 1967, he was presented the medal of honor “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” He was the fourth Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam.
This photo was taken two days after the actions that resulted in Barnum’s Medal of Honor.
Barnum Day in Cheshire
July 1, 1967 was declared “Barney” Barnum Day in Cheshire and included a parade and multiple presentations in his honor. In August 1989, Colonel Barnum retired from the Marine Corps after more than 27 years of service. He went on to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs, and as Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). He has also had the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. named in his honor.
The infographic below shares the history of Medal of Honor Recipient Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (U.S. Navy graphic by Annalisa Underwood/Released), and was downloaded from the Naval History and Heritage Command website.
On July 29, 2023, the U.S. Navy christened the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) during a ceremony at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine.
The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr Christening Ceremony
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro delivered the christening ceremony’s principal address.
The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. was expected to be commissioned in early 2025.