Raymond O. Barton
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Major General Raymond O. "Tubby" Barton (1890 – 9 February 1963).
He graduated from the West Point class of 1913. As commander of the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment he served in Germany from 1917 to 1923, being the last formation to leave.
He commanded the US 4th Infantry Division from 3 July 1942 to 26 December 1944 and led them into battle from D-Day at Utah Beach [1] to the Liberation of Paris and into the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest before leaving the command due to health problems on December 27, 1944. During the war he became friends with Ernest Hemingway who sought his favor as the war correspondent assigned to the division and the two corresponded after.
Hemingway wrote to Barton:
“ | You had one of the greatest divisions in American military history. | ” |
During the Battle of Hurtgen Forest on the Weisser Weh stream near Grosshau, Germany General Barton gave up his belt for tourniquet material to medic Russell J. York of his division at York's request. Lives were saved and a Silver Star awarded to the medic for his actions.
He is buried at Westover Memorial Park in Augusta, Georgia.
[edit] References
[edit] Further reading
- Tom Carhart (2002). West Point Warriors: Profiles of Duty, Honor, and Country in Battle. ISBN 0-446-61125-5.
- Utah Beach Forces
- Obituary in West Point Assembly 1963
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