Private First Class Barnett was a medic with the Heavy Weapons Company, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was Killed in Action while tending his wounded comrades during "Operation Ripper" to contain Seoul, South Korea on 16 March 1951.

For his leadership and valor, Private First Class Barnett was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Medical Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.