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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

David B. Barkeley

Private David B. Barkeley, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on November 9, 1918 near Pouilly, France during World War I.

World War I November 9, 1918Posthumous

Private David B. Barkeley was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on November 9, 1918 near Pouilly, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division. Barkeley was 19 years old.

Barkeley was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on 1919.

Barkeley was born on March 31, 1899 in Laredo, Webb County, Texas. His Medal of Honor is credited to San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. He is buried at San Antonio National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. Records also list him as Barkley, David Bennes.

Barkeley is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 78 credited to Texas.

★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor citation

When information was desired as to the enemy's position on the opposite side of the Meuse River, Pvt. Barkeley, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation and swam the river to reconnoiter the exact location. He succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing. Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return, but before his goal was reached, he was seized with cramps and drowned.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (November 9, 1918).
  • Cause of death: drowning
  • Age at death: 19
  • Resting place: San Antonio National Cemetery

Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, David B. Barkeley received:

Purple Heart

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Laredo — map
  • Died: Meuse — map
  • Buried: San Antonio National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Texas →

Timeline

  1. March 31, 1899
    Born in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
  2. November 9, 1918
    Act of valor — near Pouilly, France
    Age 19. Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division Killed in action.
  3. 1919
    Medal of Honor presented posthumously
  4. Resting place
    San Antonio National Cemetery
    San Antonio, Texas

Biography

David Bennes Barkley (also known as David B. Barkeley Cantu; March 31, 1899 – November 9, 1918) was an American soldier who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War I in France. After successfully completing a scouting mission behind enemy lines, he drowned while swimming back across the Meuse River near Pouilly-sur-Meuse.

From the Wikipedia article “David B. Barkley”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Further reading

Also honored for actions on November 9, 1918

HJ Harold Irving Johnston Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 Ludovicus M.m van Iersel Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918

Same unit

MC Marcellus Holmes Chiles Captain · Army World War I · 1918 ✦

More World War I recipients from Texas

DE Daniel Richmond Edwards Private First Class · Army World War I · 1918 David Ephraim Hayden Hospital Apprentice First Class · Navy World War I · 1918
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.