Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Korean War - U.S. Army
Charles H Barker
- Rank: Private First Class
- Conflict/Era: Korean War
- Unit/Command:
Company K, 17th Infantry Regiment,
7th Infantry Division - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: June 4, 1953
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Sokkogae, Korea
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.
- Accredited to: Pickens County, South Carolina
- Awarded Posthumously: Yes
- Presentation Date & Details: May 17, 1955
Parade Grounds, Ft. Meyer, Virginia, presented by Sec. of the Army Robert T. Stevens to his Father, Norris H. Barker
- Born: April 12, 1935, Pickens County, SC, United States
- Died: June 4, 1953, Korea
- Buried: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)(Wall of the Missing), Honolulu, HI, United States