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| Captain Harry Barker, 3rd Marine Division, earned the Navy Cross in the Battle of Guam that cost him his life. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=69298978&ref=acom |
Harry Bernard Barker never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on October 2, 1917 in Iowa. His parents were also both born in Iowa. His father worked as a house painter and later as an insurance salesman. Harry had an older brother who also served in the Marines during World War 2. He also had a younger sister. By 1940 Harry had completed two years of college and was still living with his parents.
He enlisted in the Marines on May 14, 1941. With his college background he was recommended for officer's training and became a lieutenant. By April 1943 he was a captain in Company L, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.
During the fall he volunteered for an advanced recon mission to Bougainville via submarine to prepare for the invasion of Bougainville, where he returned with his company on the day of the invasion. The next year he fought at Kwajelein and Eniwetok before his final battle at Guam.
Captain Barker was killed during the Guam D-Day landing on Blue Beach on July 21, 1944. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
His citation reads as follows:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Harry B. Barker (MCSN: 0-8257), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Marianas Islands, on 21 July 1944.
Landing on the heavily fortified, fire-swept beachhead with the forward elements on D-Day, Captain Barker immediately moved inland to reconnoiter the area then, returning to his troops, promptly led them to the best vantage point for supporting the forward assault units. Critically wounded in the right arm by a Japanese sniper's bullet, he steadfastly refused first aid until the situation had been stabilized. Then, after having his wound dressed, he subsequently returned to his troops and personally led them in a vigorous, intensive assault against a hill vital to the advance of our forces despite withering enemy fire which swept the area.
Although he was mortally wounded during the fierce action, Captain Barker, by his valiant and aggressive leadership had contributed to the success of our sustained drive toward the recapture of this important enemy stronghold, and his unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave peril reflects the highest credit upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
His grave is at St. Joseph's Cemetery in What Cheer, Iowa.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100
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