Generally speaking, most people are unaware of thousands upon thousands, countless number of true heroes that emerge in each war that we have fought. The press will normally advertise the exploits of someone who is awarded the Medal of Honor, sometimes even those who receive the Distinguished Service Cross (Navy Cross for Navy and Marines and Flying Cross for the Air Force) or even a Silver Star. But those others, the vast majority who receive "lesser" or no medals at all, are rarely if ever mentioned.
Although every recipient of the Medal of Honor or the Distinguished Service Cross more than deserve the honor, unfortunately there are others that go unmentioned because they were never nominated for the higher awards. Like most things in life, everything depends on being at the right place at the right time, or having someone note your actions and record them officially. Sadly, sometimes someone would commit an act of valor that would deserve a high award, but because of personal differences with the commanding officer or simple dislike for each other, no award recommendations are written up and the exceptional action goes unmentioned and unrewarded. At other times, the paper work gets lost in the huge bureaucratic nest that is called Pentagon and with luck, resurfaces a half a century later! That is human nature, that is how things work or don't work ever since awards were given to warriors for their acts of valor.
I knew several people during Vietnam who deserved much higher awards than the ones they received, or didn't receive at all! One such person was my good friend William "Doc" Barnes. I already mentioned in an earlier blog how he had stitched up a fellow soldier in Laos and got his nickname. He should have gotten more than a nickname for that act, but he didn't. Considering that he was not even a medic, it was remarkable what he did! Unfortunately, none of the members of "White Star," got any recognition for their work. They spent a year fighting the Pathet Lao and training loyalist troops. Several were killed and many were wounded, but they never even got a campaign ribbon for their effort!
Several years after Laos, in Vietnam, Doc was on a patrol with a small contingent of Nung mercenaries and another American NCO. It was a typical patrol consisting of two American NCOs and a dozen indigenous troops. Special Forces ran these patrols that lasted from one day to several days, around their camps constantly. The patrols were conducted to sweep the area and gather intelligence for MACV in Saigon. On this particular occasion, the patrol ran into trouble when they stumbled upon a much larger NVA unit that had been staging to attack the camp. A firefight broke out and it was obvious that the small patrol could not hold off the larger enemy force so they had to make a run for it. A radio call was made to the camp, advising of their situation and a prearranged point was selected for extraction by helicopter. It was a running firefight and several Nungs, as well as Doc were hit.
Doc was the senior NCO and the patrol leader. As the patrol fought their way into a small clearing in the jungle where the high canopy was open just enough to allow for extraction, all the wounded were gathered to be extracted first. The Huey (UH-21) could not land, it had to lower a rope with a harness and winch up the patrol members, one by one! Fortunately, the canopy was so thick that the NVA could not see well enough to hit the hovering Huey. Doc ordered the wounded to be extracted first while he fought on, firing his weapon and supervising the extraction. He was hit several times and bleeding profusely. When the four wounded Nungs were lifted out, it was Doc's turn to go since he too was wounded, but he refused. Instead, he ordered the rest of the team to go and for the other American to go as well. When the junior NCO turned to him and said, "Doc, you're wounded! You've got to go!" Doc shook his head and said, "I am the team leader and I say who goes first!" It was like a scene out of a John Wayne movie!
Doc made sure that everyone had gone up before him. It was just Doc and one Nung remaining when the Nung was hit and fell to the ground. Doc grabbed the wounded Nung, and holding him, slipped himself into the harness and gave the signal to be winched up. The incident was accurately reported and Doc's actions were verified by the other American and all of the Nungs. Doc was never written up for his actions and never received even a letter of commendation for it! On his subsequent tours in Vietnam, Doc committed several valorous acts in combat but never received anything higher than a Bronze Star with a "V" device for valor and the Army Commendation Medal which was sometimes derisively referred to as the "Green Hornet" (because of the green ribbon)!
It wasn't until much later that I discovered what a legend he had become in the Special Forces. Back in the late 1980s when I was stationed in Ecuador, a Special Forces team from the 7th Special Forces Group in Panama used to come down often to train Ecuadorian troops and also to conduct a "survey" of the American Consulate General where I worked. The Special Forces team was assigned to "cover" us, to help with security and evacuation in case of trouble. It was ironic, but I discovered that the team from Panama, was my old team A-717, which was now called ODA 717! The Special Forces team members were excited to learn that I was one of the "old timers" and asked me countless questions about the "old days." Talk about feeling old! Somehow Doc's name came-up and I was surprised to learn that they had all heard of him! He had become a legend of sorts in the Special Forces. Naturally, my stock went up in their estimation (whether deservedly or not!) simply because I knew Doc personally! I was no longer just a State Department wimp but a former SF, one of the "old guys," and a friend of Doc Barnes!
Doc Barnes was a true American hero, everyone in the Special Forces thought so, but like so many others like him, he never got the recognition that he deserved. I was very fortunate to have known him, to have served with him, and to have been his friend.
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