Born: September 5, 1931 Private First Class, United States Marine Corps Service# 1139818
CO A, 1ST BATTALION, 5TH MARINE REGIMENT, 1ST MARINE DIVISION
Home or Place of Enlistment: Bellevue, Idaho Killed in Action: June 11, 1951 Location or Battle Zone: Punchbowl, Gangwon Province, South Korea
NAVY CROSS CITATION
General Orders: Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 174 (March 27, 1952) Action Date: 10-Jun-51; Service: Marine Corps; Rank: Private First Class Company: Company A Battalion: 1st Battalion; Regiment: 5th Marines; Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.)
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Ora Earl Barrett, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as an Automatic Rifleman in Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on the night of 10 June 1951. When his unit, hampered by heavy fog and approaching darkness, had withdrawn from a hill to reorganize and resume their attack on the following day, Private first Class Barrett quickly realized that several wounded men still lay in positions swept by intense hostile fire and, courageously moving forward up the slope, placed himself between the casualties and the enemy in order to lay down a base of fire behind which the wounded could be evacuated. Delivering heavy and accurate fire on the hostile positions, he succeeded in distracting the enemy and permitting the casualties to reach safety before he himself fell, mortally wounded. By his daring initiative, valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty in the face of insurmountable odds, Private First Class Barrett was responsible in a great measure for saving many of his comrades and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
NAVY PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the
FIRST MARINE DIVISION, REINFORCED
for services as set forth in the following Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea during the periods 21 to 26 April, 16 May to 30 June, and 11 to 25 September 1951. Spearheading the first counteroffensive in the spring of 1951, the FIRST Marine Division, Reinforced, engaged the enemy in the mountainous center of Korea in a brilliant series of actions unparalleled in the history of the Marine Corps, destroying and. routing hostile forces with an unrelenting drive of seventy miles north from Wonju. During the period 21 to 26 April, the full force of the enemy counteroffensive was met by the Division, north of the Hwachon Reservoir. Although major units flanking the Marine Division were destroyed or driven back by the force of this attack, the Division held firm against the attackers, repelling the onslaught from three directions and preventing the encirclement of the key center of the lines. Following a rapid regrouping of friendly forces in close contact with the enemy, the FIRST Marine Division, Reinforced, was committed into the flanks of the massive enemy penetration and, from 16 May to 30 June; was locked in a violent and crucial battle which resulted in the enemy being driven back to the north with disastrous losses to his forces in the number of killed, wounded and captured. Carrying out a series of devastating assaults, the Division succeeded in reducing the enemy's main fortified complex dominating the 38th Parallel. In the final significant offensive of the action in Korea, from 11 to 25 September 1951, the FIRST Marine Division, Reinforced, completed the destruction of the enemy forces in Eastern Korea by advancing the front against a final desperate enemy defense in the 'Punch Bowl' area in heavy action which completed the liberation of South Korea in this locality. With the enemy's major defenses reduced, his forces on the central front decimated, and the advantage of terrain and the tactical initiative passing to friendly forces, he never again recovered sufficiently to resume the offensive in Korea. The outstanding courage, resourcefulness and aggressive fighting spirit of the officers and men of the FIRST Marine Division, Reinforced, reflect the highest credit' upon themselves and the United States Naval Service.
Harry S. Truman President of the United States
REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
The President of the Republic of Korea Takes profound pleasure in citing for outstanding and superior performance of duty during the period 26 October 1950 to 27 July 1953
THE FIRST UNITED STATES MARINE DIVISION (REINFORCED)
for the award of THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
CITATION: Landing at Wonsan on 26 October 1950 the First United States Marine Division (Reinforced) advanced to Yudam-ni where they engaged the Chinese Communist Forces. The heroic and courageous fighting of the First United States Marine Division (Reinforced), which was outnumbered but never outfought by the Chinese Communist Forces; coupled with its fight against the terrible winter weather in this return to Hungnam, has added another glorious page to the brilliant history of the United States Marines. After regrouping and retraining, the First United States Marine Division (Reinforced) rejoined the United Nations Forces and began the attack to the north which drove the aggressors relentlessly before them. The enemy spring offensive during April 1951 which threatened to nullify the recent United Nations gains was successfully repulsed by the First Marine Division (Reinforced) and when other Republic of Korea Forces were heavily pressed and fighting for survival the timely offensive by this Division gave heart to peoples of Korea. In March 1952 the First Marine Division (Reinforced) assumed responsibility of defending the western flank of the Eighth Army. In carrying out the responsibilities of this assignment the Marines won everlasting glory at Bunker Hill. Continuing active operations against the Communist enemy until the Armistice, the First Marine Division (Reinforced) inflicted heavy losses upon the aggressors and successfully repulsed their assaults upon strong point Vegas and Reno during March 1953, and during July 1953, just prior to the signing of the Armistice, again threw back the enemy in several days of severe fighting at strong points Berlin and East Berlin. Although suffering heavy losses during these engagements, the First Marine Division (Reinforced) was at all times successful in maintaining the integrity of the United Nations’ positions within their assigned sector. The First United States Marine Division (Reinforced), by its unparalleled fighting courage and steadfast devotion to duty, has won the undying affection and gratitude of the Korean people. During its entire campaign the First United States Marine Division (Reinforced) remained true to its motto of “Semper Fidelis”. In keeping faith with the highest traditions of its own country the First United States Marine Division (Reinforced) kindled new hope in the breasts of all free men and women in the Republic of Korea. This Citation carries with it the right to wear the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon by each individual member of the First United States Marine Division (Reinforced) who served in Korea during the stated period.