Our walk this morning was dedicated in honor of:
Navy HM3 Stephen Clark Barrett, Age 19 of Troy, NY.
KIA Jan. 25, 1968 Vietnam
He was assigned as the Corpsman with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.
He is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on Panel 35E, Line 29.
Stephen enlisted in the US Navy 21 December 1965, at a recruiting office in Albany, New York.
During Operation Catch Kilo Company was the blocking force at Xom Con Tong Village in the vicnity of My Loc, on the north bank of the Cau Viet River and 4 kilometers west southwest of the river mouth, to keep the Viet Cong forces from escaping while being pursued by other Marine Companies. During the attack Kilo Company had 5 Marines wounded out in open ground. Stephen rushed out to help the wounded Marines. While attempting to save the third Marine Stephen was mortally wounded by hostile force fire and died as a result of fragmentation wounds to the body.
Stephen served his country for 2 years.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 25 January 1968 while serving as a corpsman with Company “K”, Third Battalion, 1st Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against a insurgent Communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During Operation BADGER CATCH, Petty Officer Battett’s platoon was positioned in a blocking position as a blocking force near the village of Xom Con Ton in Quang Tri province when the unit came under intense small arms fire. In the initial burst of fire, four Marines were seriously wounded, three of whom were lying in a exposed area. Completely aware of the dangers involved, Petty Officer Barrett unhesitatingly left the relative security of his position and, disregarding the enemy fire around him, maneuvered across 30 meters of fire-swept terrain to carry one wounded Marine to a position where he could administer medical aid. Undaunted by the continuing heavy volume of hostile fire, he again moved across he open, hazardous area to the side of the remaining casualties and, while assisting them to an area of relative safety, was painfully wounded in the leg. After rendering assistance to his wounded comrades, Petty Officer Barrett moved to the side of another injured Marine and administered first aid. Subsequently, while assisting in the evacuation of the wounded, he was again hit by enemy fire and fell mortally wounded. By his courage, unfaltering determination and selfless devotion to duty, Petty Officer Barrett undoubtedly save the lives of several companions. His heroic actions were keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
His brother was also killed in Vietnam two years later.
We had a great 5.50 Mile walk. We walked to the War Memorial down town and then headed back. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us this morning and I want to thank all who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero.
Navy HM3 Stephen Clark Barrett will not be forgotten !
