Charles H. Barker

Covering a patrol’s withdrawal until his final close combat.

Private First Class Charles Heyward Barker (12 April 1935 – 4 June 1953) was a U.S. Army infantryman from Pickens County, South Carolina. He joined the Army in 1952 and served in Company K, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, during the Korean War. His Medal of Honor action took place near Sokkogae, Korea, during a patrol screening the approaches to Pork Chop Outpost, a strategically contested position on the Korean front.

On 4 June 1953, Barker’s patrol surprised a group of Chinese troops digging emplacements on a slope. The patrol leader ordered Barker and another soldier to lay down covering fire while the rest of the platoon moved to higher ground. Barker advanced into an exposed area, firing his rifle and throwing grenades at the enemy positions. As the fighting intensified and friendly ammunition ran low, the platoon was ordered to withdraw to the outpost perimeter. Barker volunteered to stay behind and cover the movement. He maintained his defence as the patrol pulled back; he was last seen fighting at close quarters with the enemy. His actions enabled the patrol to complete its mission and return to friendly lines.

Barker was reported missing after the action and subsequently declared dead. His remains have not been recovered. He was posthumously promoted to private first class and received the Medal of Honor, presented to his father, Norris H. Barker, by Secretary of the Army Robert Stevens on 17 May 1955. His name is commemorated on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. The citation records an infantryman’s final covering action: after moving into open ground under fire, Barker stayed behind so the rest of his patrol could withdraw in an orderly way.

### 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.