Colonel William E. Barber - Irvine, CA
Posted by: 
DopeyDuck
N 33° 41.260 W 117° 49.480
11S E 423564 N 3727831
Colonel Barber served in the USMC from 1940-1970. He was in the Battle of Iwo Jima in WWII, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, and 2 Purple Hearts.
Waymark Code: WM6F25
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 05/24/2009
Views: 7
An extensive history of Bill Barber, with pictures, his accomplishments, and his burial site, can be found at the Arlington Cemetery website (
visit link) or on Wikipedia (
visit link)
The plaque reads:
"Colonel Bill Barber
Marine Corps Memorial Park
To commemorate Colonel Bill Barber, Irvine resident
and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient
for heroism under fire at Chosin Reservoir,
North Korea, November 28th through
December 2nd, 1950, and to the USMC whose presence in
and around Irvine symbolized the security of our Nation.
Thank You
The Residents of Irvine
June 3, 2000"
According to a brochure on display,
"Colonel William E. Barber
1919-2002
William E. Barber was born on November 30, 1919 in Dehart, Kentucky and is best-known for his heroism during the Korean War in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in 1950. Assigned to defend a 3-mile mountain pass along the division's main supply line, Captain Barber took position and before nightfall, had dun in and set up a defense along the frozen, now-covered hillside. When the enemy savagely attacked during the night and surrounded his position, Barber requested permission to stand fast when orders were received to pull back. Aware that leaving the position would sever contact with the 8,000 trapped marines, he chose to risk the loss of his command rather than sacrifice more men. He was wounded on the first night of action, but refused evacuation. When the company was relieved, only 82 of his original 220 men were able to walk away. For this act, William Earl Barber was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Barber's career spanned 4 decades and 3 wars. Barber died in his Irvine home of complication from liver failure and bone marrow cancer on April 19, 2002."