Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private First Class Charles H. Barker was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on June 4, 1953 in Sokkogae, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company K, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Barker was 18 years old.
Barker was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on May 17, 1955. Parade Grounds, Ft. Meyer, Virginia, presented by Sec. of the Army Robert T. Stevens to his Father, Norris H. Barker.
Barker was born on April 12, 1935 in Pickens County, South Carolina. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Barker is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 33 credited to South Carolina.
Official Medal of Honor 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (June 4, 1953).
- Age at death: 18
- Resting place: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Charles H. Barker received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in South Carolina →
Timeline
- April 12, 1935Born in Pickens County, South Carolina
- June 4, 1953Act of valor — Sokkogae, KoreaAge 18. Company K, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division Killed in action.
- May 17, 1955Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyParade Grounds, Ft. Meyer, Virginia, presented by Sec. of the Army Robert T. Stevens to his Father, Norris H. Barker
- Resting placeNational Memorial Cemetery of the PacificHonolulu, Hawaii
Biography
Charles Heyward Barker (April 12, 1935 – June 4, 1953) was a United States Army soldier in the Korean War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “Charles H. Barker”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
