Harvey C . Barnum , Jr . Colonel Harvey Curtiss Barnum , Jr . ( born July 21 , 1940 ) , is a retired United States Marine Corps officer who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the Vietnam War . He was the fourth Marine to receive the medal for valor in Vietnam . He retired from the Marine Corps in 1989 after more than 27 years of service . Barnum served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs from July 23 , 2001 to January 20 , 2009 . He also served as Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy ( Manpower and Reserve Affairs ) from January 21 , 2009 to April 30 , 2009 . Early years . Barnum was born July 21 , 1940 in Cheshire , Connecticut . He was president of his Freshman and Senior Class at Cheshire High School , where he also played football and baseball . In high school , he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America , the “ C ” Club and the Gym Leaders Club . After graduation from high school , he entered Saint Anselm College in Goffstown , New Hampshire . Marine Corps career . At Saint Anselm College , Barnum joined the Marine Corps ’ Platoon Leaders Class program in November 1958 , and attended two summer training sessions , one in 1959 and the other in 1961 . In June 1962 , he graduated from Saint Anselm College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics . He is a member of the Red Key Society ( Rho Kappa Sigma ) at Saint Anselm College . Upon graduation , he was commissioned a Marine Reserve second lieutenant . Second Lieutenant Barnum was ordered to Marine Corps Schools , Quantico , Virginia , where he attended The Basic School until December 1962 , when he began the Artillery Officers Orientation Course , graduating in February 1963 . He was then ordered overseas and joined Battery A , 1st Battalion , 12th Marines , 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa , Japan . He served first as a forward observer and then as the Battalion ’ s liaison officer . In July 1964 , he accepted appointment in the regular Marine Corps . Prior to completing his Okinawa tour , he also served as the battalion liaison officer . He was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1964 . In April 1964 , 1stLt Barnum was transferred to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and assigned as the Wing ’ s Career Advisory and Personal Affairs Officer . During Exercise Steel Pike , a landing exercise in Spain , he served as the Wing ’ s Security Officer . Upon returning to the United States from Spain , he was assigned as Officer in Charge , 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Classified Files . Detached in March 1965 , he then served as Guard Officer , Marine Barracks , U . S . Naval Base , Pearl Harbor , Oahu , Hawaii . From December 1965 until February 1966 , 1stLt Barnum served on temporary duty in Vietnam as an artillery forward observer with Company H , 2nd Battalion , 9th Marines , 3rd Marine Division . Lieutenant Barnum would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 18 , 1965 — for " conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty " . He was promoted to captain in June 1966 , after he returned to Hawaii . From March until August 1967 , Capt Barnum attended the Associate Field Artillery Officers Career Course , Fort Sill , Oklahoma . Transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps , he served as Aide - de - Camp for LtGen Lewis W . Walt ( then the Assistant Chief of Staff for Manpower and subsequently the Assistant Commandant from September 1967 until October 1968 ) . In October 1968 , Capt Barnum returned to Vietnam where he served as Commanding Officer of Battery E , 2nd Battalion , 12th Marines , 3rd Marine Division With the 3rd Marine Division redeployment from Vietnam to Okinawa in September 1969 , he remained with that unit until the following October . For his service in this capacity , he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “ V ” and Gold Star in lieu of a second award , the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “ V ” , the Purple Heart for wounds received , the Combat Action Ribbon , and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Silver Star . Upon his return from Okinawa , Capt Barnum was assigned as a weapons instructor at The Basic School , Marine Corps Development and Education Command , Quantico , where he served until August 1970 at which time he entered the Amphibious Warfare School , graduating in February 1972 . He served as Operations Officer , 2nd Battalion , 10th Marines , Camp Lejeune beginning in March 1972 , and was promoted to major , May 1972 , to lieutenant colonel in December 1978 , and to colonel in February 1984 . In 1987 , he was assigned as Military Secretary to the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps . In August , 1989 , Colonel Barnum retired from the Marine Corps after more than 27 years of service . Later careers . Upon retirement Colonel Barnum served as the Principal Director , Drug Enforcement Policy , Office of the Secretary of Defense . He also served as past president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society . Barnum served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs , a position he held from July 23 , 2001 to January 20 , 2008 . Barnum currently serves on the Segs4Vets and on the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Advisory Board . He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation MCLEF . org , the Americans in Wartime Museum and Medifast . He received several awards throughout his career to include : Connecticut Man of the Year ' 67 , Honorary Legum Doctorem St Anselm College ; Rotary Paul Harris Fellow ; Abe Pollin Leadership Award ' 03 , Marine Corps League " Iron Mike " Award ; Order of the Carabao Distinguished Service Award ; and Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Service Award . Awards and decorations . Col Barnum ' s medals include : Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to FIRST LIEUTENANT HARVEY C . BARNUM , JR . UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION : / S / LYNDON B . JOHNSON