Charles H. Barker

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Charles H. Barker
April 12, 1935(1935-04-12) – June 4, 1953 (aged 18)
Private Charles Barker
Place of birth	Pickens County, South Carolina
Place of death	Near Sokkogae, Korea (approx. 35° 46' North, 127° 30' East)
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1935-1953
Rank	Private First Class
Unit	Company K, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Korean War -Pork-Chop Outpost
Awards	Medal of Honor

Charles H. Barker was a soldier in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 4, 1953.

Contents 1 Awards and decorations 2 Medal of Honor citation 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References

[edit] Awards and decorations

PFC Barker's awards include:

•   Medal of Honor

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Private First Class (then Pvt.)

U.S. Army, Company K, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Sokkogae, Korea, 4 June 1953.

Entered service at: Pickens County, S.C. Born: 12 April 1935, Pickens County, South Carolina

G.O. No.: 37, 7 June 1955.

Citation:

Pfc. Barker, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. While participating in a combat patrol engaged in screening an approach to "Pork-Chop Outpost," Pfc. Barker and his companions surprised and engaged an enemy group digging emplacements on the slope. Totally unprepared, the hostile troops sought cover. After ordering Pfc. Barker and a comrade to lay down a base of fire, the patrol leader maneuvered the remainder of the platoon to a vantage point on higher ground. Pfc. Barker moved to an open area firing his rifle and hurling grenades on the hostile positions. As enemy action increased in volume and intensity, mortar bursts fell on friendly positions, ammunition was in critical supply, and the platoon was ordered to withdraw into a perimeter defense preparatory to moving back to the outpost. Voluntarily electing to cover the retrograde movement, he gallantly maintained a defense and was last seen in close hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. Pfc. Barker's unflinching courage, consummate devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice enabled the patrol to complete the mission and effect an orderly withdrawal to friendly lines, reflecting lasting glory upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the military service.^[1]

[edit] See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• "CHARLES H. BAKER" entry. Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War. Center of Military History (CMH), United States Army (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-30.