David B. Barkeley

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private David B. Barkeley (ASN: 1488756), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division, at Pouilly, France, on 9 November 1918. When information was desired as to the enemy’s position on the opposite side of the Meuse River, Private Barkeley, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation and swam the river to reconnoiter the exact location. He succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing. Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return, but before his goal was reached, he was seized with cramps and drowned.