Navy Ensign Sean Barner, a native of Stone Mountain, Georgia who received his commissioned at Georgia Tech this spring, was awarded the highest non-combat medal for heroism in recognition of his courageous rescue of guests being held hostage by two armed gunmen at a party in College Park, Georgia on May 3, 2009. Barner received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, a very rare honor, at a ceremony held on Tuesday, June 14 at Georgia Tech.

At the time of the incident, Barner was an active duty Marine attending Georgia State University and a member of the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC) Atlanta Region Unit at Georgia Tech. Ensign Barner broke out of the room where the hostages were being held confronting one of the gunmen, and then rescued a woman who was being assaulted by the second gunman. He then provided medical assistance to a victim shot by the assailants. His quick and decisive actions saved the life of one of the victims and prevented possible harm or death to several others.

“Ensign Barner’s courage in the face of great personal risk inspires our admiration and pride,” said Dean Jacqueline J. Royster on behalf of the ROTC Commanders and Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. “His actions exemplify the values and spirit that are fundamental to the Reserve Officers Training Corp and to Georgia Tech’s proud tradition of high quality military leadership.”

Ensign Barner received his commission from Georgia Tech Naval ROTC in spring of 2011.