Francis L. Barnes

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Francis L. Barnes, 15312571, Infantry, Company K, 328th Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action near Fort Wittring, France, on 8 and 9 December 1944. On 8 December 1944, the advance of our forces was delayed by heavy fire from Fort Wittring, one of the Maginot Line forts. That night Sergeant Barnes, Company K assistant squad leader, voluntarily joined a reconnaissance patrol which made its way to the very door of the fort. The patrol secured valuable information essential to plans for the fort’s destruction. In the dark morning hours of 9 December 1944, he again accompanied the patrol along with a squad of engineers to the fort and covered the latter group as they placed a heavy charge of captured explosives against the door of the fort. The charge was detonated but failed to breach the inner door of the fort. Sergeant Barnes went forward with the patrol to give close support and protection as the engineers placed still another charge against the inner door of the fort. The ensuing explosion blew in the entrance to the strong point, effectively neutralized this enemy position and enabled our forces to continue their advance. His courage under fire and his aggressiveness in action reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Barnes and the armed forces of the United States.