The John Lewis Barkley Collection at the National World War I Museum

John L. Barkley in WWI Uniform

Even among the vast holdings of the National World War I Museum, it is difficult to overlook the John Lewis Barkley Collection.  This large collection of letters, photographs, postcards, certificates, and other material tells the story of a 22-year-old from rural Henry County, Missouri who became  one of the most decorated veterans in the state.  

John Lewis Barkley was inducted into the army at Warrensburg on September 20, 1917.  He served overseas from April 1918 to August 1919.  Barkley earned 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...”

Image Courtesy of University Press of Kansas

In letters, as well as in his book Scarlet Fields (originally titled No Hard Feelings), Barkley described the actions that earned him the prestigious medal.  Positioned less than a mile away from the enemy, Barkley took it upon himself to repair an enemy machine gun, mount it on an immobilized tank, and wait for a German counterattack.  As soon as the attack began, Barkley readied himself in the tank and opened fire with the refurbished machine gun.  Barkley's actions broke up the attack and inflicted many casualties.  Although German artillery fire struck the tank, Barkley remained in his position and repelled a second attack.  His actions allowed the Allies to hold Hill 25, an important strategic point along the front lines.   

One of many letters from Barkley to his brother "Cocky".

John Lewis Barkley was one of only 124 individuals to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary actions during the First World War.  While the Medal of Honor is the highest military honor that can be awarded by the United States, it was not the only recognition Barkley received.  After the war, Barkley accepted the British Distinguished Service Cross, the French Medallile Militaire, the French Croix de Guerre, the Belgian War Cross, the Italian War Cross, and the Medal de Brauwere of Montenegro.

Barkley's Medal de Brauwere of Montenegro Citation

These medals, a portrait painted of Barkley by Howard Chandler Christy, and additional artifacts related to this extraordinary Missourian can be seen at the Research Center in the National World War I Museum.

Sources

Barkley, John Lewis, Papers, 1917-1964, (96.19, 96.33, 2010.102) at the National World War I Museum.

University Press of Kansas.  Scarlet Fields:  The Combat Memoir of a World War I Medal of Honor Hero.  University Press of Kansas.  http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/barsca.html