American Family News (“AFN”) reports that the United States (“US”) Navy has named a new battle destroyer for Medal of Honor recipient Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) was christened in a ceremony on July 28, 2023 in Bath, Maine.
BACKGROUND: It was December 18, 1965. The United States Marines – including (then) 1st Lieutenant Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. – were fighting as part of Operation Harvest Moon outside of the village of Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province, (South) Vietnam. The combat was harrowing and Barnum’s unit had become separated from the main battalion. The unit’s commander was wounded and died in Barnum’s arms. After collecting himself and realizing he was now the highest ranking officer of the rifle company he had just joined, Barnum called in artillery and led a counterattack – overseeing evacuation of the wounded and leading the unit back to the main battalion.
Barnum’s heroism and leadership during Operation Harvest Moon earned him the nation’s highest medal, the Medal of Honor.
The AFN article may be read HERE.
Barnum describes his involvement in Operation Harvest Moon in the following YouTube video presented by the US Department of Veterans Affairs:
My brothers and sisters, freedom isn’t free. And it’s good to honor those whose character and deeds are deserving of honor, as is the case with Harvey C. Barnum, Jr.
And when it comes to honor, we should remember and reflect in prayer upon the willing sacrifice made by Jesus at the cross. Jesus, and Jesus alone, gives us the promise of freedom and eternal life in the very presence of Almighty God!
John 15:12-13 (NKJV)
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
