Jedh Colby Barker Jedh Colby Barker ( June 20 , 1945 – September 21 , 1967 ) was a United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Vietnam War in September 1967 . Biography . Jedh Barker was born on June 20 , 1945 , in Franklin , New Hampshire . At the age of six , he moved with his parents to Park Ridge , New Jersey , where he graduated from grammar school in 1960 , and from Park Ridge High School in 1964 , where he was captain of the football and baseball teams . He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University , East Rutherford , New Jersey , and then $ 3 in Kirksville , Missouri until May 1966 . While at Northeast , he was a member of the Bulldogs football team . On June 20 , 1966 , he enlisted in the U . S . Marine Corps Reserve . He was a member of the Special Volunteer Reserve , 1st Marine Corps District , New York , New York , until discharged to enlist in the regular Marine Corps on October 5 , 1966 . After completion of recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , South Carolina , in December 1966 , he underwent individual combat training and weapons special training with the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion , 1st Infantry Training Regiment , Marine Corps Base , Camp Lejeune , North Carolina . He was promoted to private first class , December 1 , 1966 , while undergoing individual combat training . In March 1967 , PFC Barker joined Marine Air Base Squadron 21 , Marine Aircraft Group 12 , 1st Marine Aircraft Wing , San Francisco , California , and served as group guard until the following June when he was reassigned to Fox Company , 2nd Battalion , 4th Marines , 3rd Marine Division , in the Republic of Vietnam . He was promoted to Lance Corporal on September 1 , 1967 . On the morning of September 21 , 1967 , during Operation Kingfisher southeast of Con Thien near Phu Oc , the Battalion was ambushed by the 90th regiment of the 324B Division . Lance Corporal Barker was killed in action during this engagement . The Medal of Honor was presented to Barker ' s family by Vice President Spiro Agnew in ceremonies held on October 31 , 1969 . Lance Corporal Barker was buried at the George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus , New Jersey . Decorations . Barker ' s medals and decorations include : the Medal of Honor , the Purple Heart , the Presidential Unit Citation , the National Defense Service Medal , the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star , and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to LANCE CORPORAL JEDH C . BARKER UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine gunner with Company F , Second Battalion , Fourth Marines , Third Marine Division , in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 September 1967 . During a reconnaissance operation near Con Thien , Corporal Barker ' s squad was suddenly hit by enemy sniper fire . The squad immediately deployed to a combat formation and advanced to a strongly fortified enemy position , when it was again struck by small arms and automatic weapons fire , sustaining numerous casualties . Although wounded by the initial burst of fire , Corporal Barker boldly remained in the open , delivering a devastating volume of accurate fire on the numerically superior force . The enemy was intent upon annihilating the small Marine force and , realizing that Corporal Barker was a threat to their position , directed the preponderance of their fire on his position . He was again wounded , this time in the right hand , which prevented him from operating his vitally needed machine gun . Suddenly , and without warning , an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the few surviving Marines . Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own personal safety , Corporal Barker threw himself upon the deadly grenade , absorbing with his own body the full and tremendous force of the explosion . In a final act of bravery , he crawled to the side of a wounded comrade and administered first aid before succumbing to his grievous wounds . His bold initiative , intrepid fighting spirit , and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death and reflected great credit upon himself , the Marine Corps , and the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / RICHARD M . NIXON In memory . Lance Corporal Jedh Colby Barker has his name engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 26E Line 099 .