Harvey Barnum and Operation Harvest Moon: December 18, 1965

1st Lieutenant Harvey Barnum was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in December 1965 as part of Operation Harvest Moon. The mission, located in the Que Son mountains of Vietnam, was spearheaded by the 2nd Battalion 9th Marines.

Delivered into the heart of the mountains by H-34 “Choctaws, Barnum’s unit met up with the 2nd Battalion within 24 hours. The 2nd had already been in the Que Son for several days, and Barnum’s unit was assigned to accompany them through the end of the operation, which they estimated could take up to a week. While the first few days were uneventful, that peace was shattered on December 18 when the 2nd was ambushed near the village of Ky Phu.

The ambushing Viet Cong units outnumbered US troops 10-to-1 and were deeply entrenched and well camouflaged. The timing of their attack was calculated to divide the 2nd batallion into smaller fragments, making them easier to overwhelm with the VC’s superior numbers.

Barnum’s counter

Barnum’s company commander and radio operator were both mortally wounded in the opening salvo of the ambush, effectively dismantling the company’s command structure and communications capabilities. With no other officers in the company, it fell to Barnum to take command.

After retrieving the radio and informing the battalion commander of the situation, Barnum mounted a counter attack on an enemy machine gun nest. After an unsuccessful attempt to maneuver around the enemy, Barnum led a charge that overwhelmed the position, easing the pressure on his company.

Soon after, Barnum’s company was contacted by General Jonas Platt and given command over two armed helicopters as firesupport. Using an M20 Rocket Launcher with white phosphorus rounds as target markers, Barnum highlighted multiple enemy trench locations for his air support to strike.

After running out of phosphorus rounds, Barnum stood on a tall knoll, exposed to enemy fire on all sides, and continued to direct air strikes by pointing his arms towards enemy positions.

As the scope of the battle became clear, Barnum was ordered to retreat by the battalion commander. With all companies engaged, Barnum’s company was on their own as they attempted to backtrack to safer ground.

Thinking ahead, Barnum radioed the troops still located in Ky Phu village and requested they set up a base of fire to cover his company’s retreat across a narrow but deep river that separated his position from the village. Using his fire teams to cover each other in a leapfrog-style retreat, they quickly reached the water. With the enemy bearing down on his position, Barnum ordered his troops to cross as fast as they could manage, one squad at a time, while the friendly troops in Ky Phu covered their escape. Barnum was the last member of his company to cross the water to safety.