Frederick A. Barker

The Navy Cross is presented to Frederick A. Barker, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous service as Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment Marines, and for distinguished and exceptional gallantry at Sommerance, France, on November 1, 1918. Major Barker skillfully led his battalion, which was in a front line position, from the “jumping off” place near Sommerance, to the first objective. He kept his men close to the barrage, all the way subjected to a heavy fire of high explosives and a machine-gun barrage. He reached his objective on time and secured a number of prisoners and considerable material.