Thomas D. Barrett

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Commander Thomas D. Barrett, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 26 September 1967 while serving as Officer-in-Charge, Light Photographic Squadron SIXTY-THREE, Detachment ELEVEN, embarked in USS INTREPID (CVS-11), in support of combat operations in North Vietnam. As leader of a two-plane reconnaissance flight, Commander (then Lieutenant Commander) Barrett was tasked with obtaining bomb-damage assessment photography of the Kien An highway bridge and the Haiphong railway/highway bridge immediately following a combined-air-wing strike. Displaying superb airmanship, he led the reconnaissance flight through antiaircraft artillery fire to a ferry crossing where an enemy shell hit his starboard wing, exploded, and completely severed most of the outer wing panel. Quickly recovering from the violent concussion which momentarily threw his aircraft out of control, Commander Barrett elected to continue his mission with his severely crippled aircraft. Despite surface-to-air missle and enemy aircraft into the straight and level flight necessary to obtain coverage of numerous additional targets while departing the area. Electing to return with his damaged aircraft to USS INTREPID, Commander Barrett then executed a perfect approach and landed aboard ship. The resulting photography was exceptional quality and not only confirmed the damage inflicted by the combined-air-wing strike, but also provided vital intelligence data of many other targets and areas of interest. By his courageous determination, superb airmanship in the face of extremely hazardous conditions, and inspiring devotion to duty, Commander Barrett assured the success of this viral reconnaissance mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.