Barkley, John L. Collection

John L. Barkley

John Lewis Barkley was inducted into the army at Warrensburg, Missouri on September 20, 1917.  He served overseas from April 1918 to August 1919.  His large 3-part collection consisting of letters, photographs, postcards, and certificates tells the story of a 22-year-old from rural Henry County, Missouri, who became one of the most decorated veterans in the state.

Barkley received a Congressional Medal of Honor “for valor above and beyond the call of duty...near Cunel, France, October 7, 1918, while serving as private, first class, Company K, 4^th Infantry, 3^rd Division...”  In addition to the Medal of Honor, Barkley received the British Distinguished Service Cross, the French Military Medal, the French War Cross, the Belgian War Cross, the Italian War Cross, and the Montenegrin Medal for Bravery.  The collection's correspondence concentrates on his experiences while training stateside and combat overseas.  For more information about Barkley and his experiences, refer to our blog post: The John Lewis Barkley Collection.


 
Collection Contributed by the National World War I Museum

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 Image courtesy of the National World War I Museum