David B. Barkley

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David Bennes Barkley
March 31, 1899 – November 9, 1918
  
David Bennes Barkley, Medal of Honor
Place of birth Laredo, Texas
Place of death Meuse River, France
Allegiance U.S. Army
Rank Private
Unit U.S. 356th Infantry, U.S. 89th Division
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Medal of Honor
Croix de Guerre
Croce Merito (Italy)

David Bennes Barkley (March 31, 1899 – November 9, 1918), often spelled Barkeley, was a United States Army private who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War I in France. After successfully completing a scouting mission behind enemy lines, he drowned as he swam back across the Meuse River.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Barkley was born in Laredo, Texas to Josef and Antonia (Cantú) Barkley, and grew up with his Mexican-American mother. He enlisted in the U.S. Army when the United States entered World War I, using his Anglo father's name to avoid being segregated into a non-combat unit.[1]

As a part of Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division in France, he and Sgt. M. Waldo Hatler swam across the Meuse River near Pouilly-sur-Meuse to get behind German lines and gather information about troop strength and deployments. They were able to gather the needed information; however, returning across the river, Barkley succumbed to muscle cramps and drowned on 9 November 1918. Sgt. Hatler survived to bring the information back to their unit.

Barkley was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. He was one of three Texans to be awarded the Medal of Honor for action during World War I.[2] Additionally, France awarded him the Croix de Guerre, and Italy the Croce al Merito di Guerra.

Private Barkley lay in state at the Alamo, the second person to ever receive this honor. He was then buried at the San Antonio National Cemetery.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

When information was desired as to the enemy's position on the opposite side of the Meuse River, Pvt. Barkeley, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation and swam the river to reconnoiter the exact location. He succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing. Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return, but before his goal was reached, he was seized with cramps and drowned.

[edit] In memory

Barkley has received three notable posthumous recognitions. In 1921, an elementary school in San Antonio, Texas was named in his honor. On 10 January 1941, the U.S. Army installation, Camp Barkeley, was named in his honor. A clerical error resulted in the discrepancy in spelling.[3] Finally, in 1989, during Hispanic Heritage Week, Barkley was recognized as the U.S. Army's first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient.[4]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ D. López. Saving Private Aztlan: Preserving the History of Latino Service in Wartime. Diálogo Magazine. Retrieved on 2006-07-14.
  2. ^ Texas Medal of Honor Recipients. HomeOfHeroes.com. Retrieved on 2006-07-14.
  3. ^ Myers, James M. (2005). Camp Barkeley. Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved on 2006-07-14.
  4. ^ David Barkley, Hispanic Heritage, Medal of Honor, World War I. Hispanic Americans USA. Retrieved on 2006-07-12.

[edit] References

Persondata
NAME Barkley, David Bennes
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Barkley, David B.
SHORT DESCRIPTION Ameican World War I soldier recipient of the Medal of Honor
DATE OF BIRTH ca. 1899
PLACE OF BIRTH Laredo, Texas
DATE OF DEATH November 9, 1918
PLACE OF DEATH Pouilly-sur-Meuse, France
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