Ranger Hall of Fame

MAJOR HAROLD L. BARBER

Major Harold L. Barber fought in both World War II and the Korean War.  He initially fought in the Pacific Theater with the First Marine Division, participating in battles in Guadalcanal, New Guinea, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, Peleliu Island, and the Central Pacific.  Ranger Barber was wounded during the assault on Peleliu Island where veteran Japanese troops were heavily entrenched in caves and reinforced concrete pillboxes throughout the island.  Discharged from the Marines in 1946, Ranger Barber joined the Army in 1947 and volunteered for the 82nd Airborne Division.  When the call for Ranger volunteers went out in 1950, Ranger Barber volunteered and joined the 3rd Ranger Company.  Spearheading the 3rd Infantry Division advance in the spring of 1951 during the Korean War, Ranger Barber took command of his platoon when the platoon leader was wounded.  Coming under heavy mortar and machine gun fire against a well defended enemy hill as his platoon crossed terraced patties; Ranger Barber led his Rangers in a bayonet assault on the enemy entrenchments.  Although wounded by a grenade fragment, Ranger Barber led his men in a bayonet assault upon the heavily entrenched enemy killing 17 and capturing one prisoner.  Only eight Rangers, (three not wounded), were able to continue onto the final objective 2,000 yards away and seize the hill (Bloody Nose Ridge).  For his aggressive leadership and gallantry in action this day, Ranger Barber was awarded the Silver Star and recommended for a direct Commission.  Ranger Barber was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on December 29th, 1951, and served on active duty and continuous jump status until his retirement on July 1, 1965.  His personal actions and leadership in combat clearly demonstrated that Ranger Barber lived the Ranger Motto of displaying the intestinal fortitude required to fight onto the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor. 

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