John William Barker


John William Barker was an American brigadier general active during World War I.

Early life

Barker was born in Syracuse, New York on December 25, 1872. He graduated from the United States Military Academy number forty-nine of fifty-four in the class of 1894.

Career

Barker was commissioned in the Ninth Infantry, then stationed at Sackett's Harbor, New York and later transferred to the Third Infantry at Fort Snelling, Minnesota where he served for sixteen years. During the Spanish–American War Barker was in El Caney and Santiago where he contracted yellow fever and was sent home as an invalid. After returning to the states, Barker was put on recruiting duty in Norfolk, Virginia before going to the Philippines with his regiment. Upon return from the Philippines, Barker spent several years at Fort Thomas, Kentucky, then went to both Fort Seward, Alaska, and Fort Lewis, Washington.
Barker was in the Philippines at the time of the Moro uprisings and on Christmas Eve, 1907, he was severely wounded in Zamboanga and spent six weeks in the hospital.
After again returning from the Philippines, Barker went to the school of the Line at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he graduated with honor. When World War I broke out, Barker was made an attaché for Myron T. Herrick, the American Ambassador in Paris. President Wilson designated Barker a Neutral Observer, and with the permission of the French Ministry of War Barker was to follow the movements of the French Army at the Front. When General Pershing arrived in the spring of 1917, Barker became a Lt. Colonel and commanded the 165th Infantry. Barker was promoted to Brigadier General of the National army in the spring of 1918.
After the war, he served in the Adjutant General's Office until his retirement.

Awards

Barker earned a Silver Star Citation in both Cuba and the Philippines.

Death and legacy

John William Barker died in New York at the age of 51 on May 14, 1924.
His rank of Brigadier General was restored by an Act of Congress in June 1930.