DAVID BARKLEY
Name: David Bennes Barkley
Born: 31 March 1899 Laredo, Texas
Died: 9 November 1918 Meuse River, France
David Bennes Barkley (March 31, 1899 - November 9, 1918), often spelled Barkeley,
was a United States Army private 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 as he swam back
across the Meuse River.
Barkley was born in Laredo, Texas, the seat of Webb County, to Josef and Antonia
(Canto) Barkley, and grew up with his Mexican-American mother. He enlisted in
the Army when the United States entered what was then known as the Great War. He
used his Anglo father's name to avoid being segregated into a non-combat unit.
As a part of Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division in France, he and Sergeant
M. Waldo Hatler swam across the Meuse River near Pouilly-sur-Meuse to get behind
German lines and gather information about troop strength and deployments. They
were able to gather the needed information; however, returning across the river,
Barkley succumbed to muscle cramps and drowned. Sgt. Hatler survived to bring
the information back to their unit.
Barkley was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. He was one of three
Texans to be awarded the Medal of Honor for action during World War I.
Additionally, France awarded him the Croix de Guerre, and Italy the Croce al
Merito di Guerra.
Private Barkley lay in state at the Alamo, the second person to ever receive
this honor. He was then buried at the San Antonio National Cemetery.
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.
Name: David Bennes Barkley
Born: 31 March 1899 Laredo, Texas
Died: 9 November 1918 Meuse River, France
David Bennes Barkley (March 31, 1899 - November 9, 1918), often spelled Barkeley,
was a United States Army private 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 as he swam back
across the Meuse River.
Barkley was born in Laredo, Texas, the seat of Webb County, to Josef and Antonia
(Canto) Barkley, and grew up with his Mexican-American mother. He enlisted in
the Army when the United States entered what was then known as the Great War. He
used his Anglo father's name to avoid being segregated into a non-combat unit.
As a part of Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division in France, he and Sergeant
M. Waldo Hatler swam across the Meuse River near Pouilly-sur-Meuse to get behind
German lines and gather information about troop strength and deployments. They
were able to gather the needed information; however, returning across the river,
Barkley succumbed to muscle cramps and drowned. Sgt. Hatler survived to bring
the information back to their unit.
Barkley was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. He was one of three
Texans to be awarded the Medal of Honor for action during World War I.
Additionally, France awarded him the Croix de Guerre, and Italy the Croce al
Merito di Guerra.
Private Barkley lay in state at the Alamo, the second person to ever receive
this honor. He was then buried at the San Antonio National Cemetery.
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.