Marine Colonel (Ret.) Harvey Barnum was told by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus during the Obama administration that the Navy would name a ship after him.
“He says, ‘One of the greatest things that I get to do as secretary of navy is name ships,’” Barnum said. “‘And I'm going to name Destroyer 124, the Harvey C Barnum Jr.’ I was speechless. My wife will tell you I’m not known to be speechless.”
Barnum received the Medal of Honor in 1965, after saving a company of Marines in Vietnam. He went on to have a 30-year career in the Marines. A Republican, he held positions in both Bush administrations. Getting that call was still a highlight of his long career, he said.
“I hate to see a we/they atmosphere, because you don't win that way. You got to come together as a team. And God only knows the world is in the worst shape that I've ever seen in my lifetime,” Barnum said.
There are exceptions but Navy ships are typically named after someone who has died. At 85, Barnum has remained active in the long process of bringing a Navy ship to the fleet. He was in Virginia Beach this week to meet with the Navy League of Hampton Roads. They are raising money for extra crew amenities, such as a coffee bar and gym equipment, for the destroyer that will bear his name.
Recently, Barnum was aboard the ship for its first sea trial and plans to go back for the second test cruise at The Bath Iron Works in Maine, which is building the Arleigh Burke guided missile destroyer. He’s also reached out to the future crew in Norfolk.
“I hope that by talking to them and sharing my experiences with them, they'll realize what an awesome opportunity they have to carry on traditions of our great Navy and our great country,” Barnum said.
When he received the Medal of Honor, he was a first lieutenant in Vietnam. The company was pinned down under intense fire. After their commander was killed, Barnum took command. He stood at the top of a hill to direct the fire of two Army helicopters, according to the medal citation.
“I pointed at targets and the pilots threw down the axis of my arms toward the targets. And so I was able to knock down the fire enough so we could maneuver around,” Barnum said. “We fought for the next four or five hours. And then the battalion commander says, ‘You gotta come out. We can't come get you.’”
Barnum quietly led 130 Marines to safety, he said.
The retired Marine has homes in Reston and Reedville, Virginia. His wife, Martha Hill, is the ship’s sponsor. His daughter and granddaughter live in Chesapeake and are also part of the group sponsoring the ship. The destroyer is on pace to be handed over to the Navy for christening next year in Norfolk, which will be its new home port.
