William E. Barber

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Col. William Earl Barber

United States Marine Corps
November 20, 1919(1919-11-20) – April 19, 2002 (aged 82)
   
Colonel William E. Barber
Place of birth Dehart, Kentucky
Place of death Irvine, California
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1940-1970
Rank Colonel
Commands held 2nd Marine Regiment
3rd Reconnaissance Battalion
Battles/wars World War II
*Battle of Iwo Jima
Korean War
*Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Vietnam War
Awards Medal of Honor
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon

William Earl Barber (November 20, 1919–November 30, 2002) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps awarded with the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. With only 220 men under his command, Barber held off more than 1,400 People's Republic of China soldiers during six days of fighting. Despite the extreme cold weather conditions and himself suffering a bone fracturing wound to the leg, Barber refused an order to leave his position fearing that a retreat would trap 8,000 other Marines. Barber and his limited number of men killed over 1,000 enemy troops; only 82 of his men were able to walk away after eventually being relieved.

Contents

[edit] Biography

William Earl Barber was born on 30 November 1919, in Dehart, Kentucky. He completed Morgan County High School in West Liberty, Kentucky, and attended Morehead State Teachers College prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps.[1]

[edit] Marine Corps career

Barber enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 1940 and completed his recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, followed by parachute training at the Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey, was designated a paramarine and assigned as a parachute instructor at the newly activated Parachute Training School, New River, North Carolina. In May 1943, he entered Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, and was commissioned a second lieutenant on 11 August 1943.[1]

[edit] World War II

Second Lieutenant Barber served with the 1st Parachute Regiment on the West Coast until 1944. Assigned as a platoon commander with the 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton, California, he embarked for the Pacific area and later took part in combat on Iwo Jima. After being wounded, he was evacuated and later returned to his unit, serving as company commander during the last two weeks of the operation. Shortly after, he was promoted to first lieutenant and again commanded the company during the initial occupation of Japan. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart his actions on Iwo Jima in which "he disregarded his own wounds and directed enemy fire to rescue two wounded Marines from enemy territory."[1]

Barber returned to the United States in 1946; he served on recruiting duty in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; served as a rifle company commander with the 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Inspector-Instructor of the Marine Corps Reserve's Company D, 6th Infantry Battalion, in Altoona and Philadelphia, respectively.

[edit] Korean War

In October 1950, as a captain, Barber was ordered to Korea and took part in the action for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart — the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in November and December 1950. He led his company in a desperate five-day defense of a frozen mountain pass vital to the 1st Marine Division's breakout to the sea. Fighting in sub-zero temperatures against overwhelming odds, he was wounded on the first night of the action (29 November 1950), but refused evacuation and remained in action in command of his company. He was evacuated on 8 December, and hospitalized in Yokosuka, Japan, until his return to the United States in March 1951.[1]

In April 1951, he joined the San Diego Recruit Depot as a company commander and later Executive Officer of the 1st Recruit Training Battalion. He was promoted to major in July 1952.

On 20 August 1952, Major Barber was presented the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman in ceremonies at the White House.

Major Barber completed the Advanced Infantry Course, Fort Benning, Georgia, in March 1954, then served as Operations and Training Officer, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Camp Lejeune. From 1956 to 1958, he served in Thailand as Assistant Naval Attache and Assistant Naval Attache for Air at the American Embassy in Bangkok. During the next four years he was assigned to Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, and served as Assistant Chief Instructor of the Junior School. While there, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1960.[1]

Again ordered overseas, LtCol Barber joined the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa, Japan in July 1962 as Commanding Officer, Reconnaissance Battalion. Following his return to the United States, he served at Headquarters Marine Corps as Head, Combat Requirements Section, until January 1966 when he became Head, Marksmanship Branch, G-3 Division, and served in this capacity until July 1967. He was promoted to colonel on 22 September 1965.[1]

Transferred to the 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Col Barber served consecutively as Division Plans Officer, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 (Intelligence), and Commanding Officer of the 2nd Marines, until May 1969.[1]

[edit] Vietnam War

In 1969, he was ordered to the Vietnam where he served his last tour of active duty as Psychological Operations Officer, III Marine Amphibious Force, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. For his service in this capacity, he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V.”[1]

[edit] Retirement

Colonel Barber retired from active duty on 1 May 1970. Barber died at his home in Irvine, California on April 19, 2002.[2]

[edit] Awards and decorations

Col Barber's awards include:

  •   Purple Heart (with Gold Star in lieu of a second award)

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

For his actions at the Chosin Reservoir, Korea from 28 November to 2 December 1950, Barber was awarded the Medal of Honor.[3] His citation reads:

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

CAPTAIN WILLIAM E. BARBER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine (Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 28 November to 2 December 1950. Assigned to defend a three-mile mountain pass along the division's main supply line and commanding the only route of approach in the march from Yudam-Ni to Hagaru-ri, Captain Barber took position with his battle weary troops and, before nightfall, had dug in and set up a defense along the frozen snow-covered hillside. When a force of estimated regimental strength savagely attacked during the night, inflicting heavy casualties and finally surrounding his position following a bitterly fought seven-hour conflict, Captain Barber, after repulsing the enemy, gave assurance that he could hold if supplied by air drops and requested permission to stand fast when orders were received by radio to fight his way back to a relieving force after two reinforcing units had been driven back under fierce resistance in their attempts to reach the isolated troops. Aware that leaving the position would sever contact with the 8,000 Marines trapped at Yudam-ni and jeopardize their chances of joining the 3,000 more awaiting their arrival in Hagaru-ri for the continued drive to the sea, he chose to risk loss of his command rather than sacrifice more men if the enemy seized control and forced a renewed battle to regain the position, or abandon his many wounded who were unable to walk. Although severely wounded in the leg the early morning of the 29th, Captain Barber continued to maintain personal control, often moving up and down the lines on a stretcher to direct the defense and consistently encouraging and inspiring his men to supreme efforts despite the staggering opposition. Waging desperate battle throughout five days and six nights of repeated onslaughts launched by the fanatical aggressors, he and his heroic command accounted for approximately 1,000 enemy dead in this epic stand in bitter sub-zero weather, and when the company was relieved, only 82 of his original 220 men were able to walk away from the position so valiantly defended against insuperable odds. His profound faith and courage, great personal valor and unwavering fortitude were decisive factors in the successful withdrawal of the division from the deathtrap in the Chosin Reservoir sector and reflect the highest credit upon Captain Barber, his intrepid officers and men and the United States Naval Service.[4]

/S/HARRY S. TRUMAN

[edit] Namesakes

The following have been named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient William Barber:

  • Barber Fitness Center, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.[5]
  • Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park, Irvine, California.[6]
  • Camp Barber, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

[edit] See also

United States Marine Corps Portal

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Colonel William Earl Barber, USMC. Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
  2. ^ William E. Barber, Arlington National Cemetery.
  3. ^ Medal of Honor Recipients — Korean War. U.S. Army Center of Military History. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
  4. ^ Medal of Honor — Captain William E. Barber (Medal of Honor citation). Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-03-05.
  5. ^ Barber Fitness Center, Marine Corps Base Quantico. The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
  6. ^ Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park. City of Irvine, CA. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.

[edit] References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.

[edit] External links

[edit] Further reading