World War II Honoree

George P. Barrier

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ralston, Pawnee County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE ON JANUARY 13, 1941. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT FORT SILL AT LAWTON, OKLAHOMA; AND CAMP BARKELEY AT ABILENE, TEXAS. HIS REGIMENT MOVED TO THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE ON DECEMBER 31, 1941 AND SERVED THERE IN THE AMERICAN THEATER UNTIL SHIPPING OUT TO BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA IN JANUARY, 1943. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 158TH INFANTRY REGIMENT (REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM) DURING THE WAR. PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA, AND BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO CAMPAIGNS. MOVED TO PORT MORESBY, NEW GUINEA IN FEBRUARY, 1943 AND LATER TO MILNE BAY, NEW GUINEA IN MAY, 1943. HIS UNIT LANDED UNOPPOSED ON KIRIWINI ISLAND OFF NEW GUINEA IN THE TROBRIAND ISLANDS AND OPERATED THERE FROM JUNE 23-30, 1943. LANDED ON NEW BRITAIN ISLAND ON THE ARAWE PENINSULA IN THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO ON DECEMBER 27, 1943 AND FOUGHT UNTIL JAPANESE FORCES WERE DEFEATED BY JANUARY 17, 1944. WOUNDED IN ACTION DURING COMBAT ON ARAWE, AND AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. THEN LANDED AT TOEM ON NEW GUINEA ON MAY 21, 1944; WENT INTO THE LINE AT THE TOR RIVER ON MAY 23, 1944; AND FOUGHT THE BATTLE FOR LONE TREE HILL FROM MAY 26-29, 1944. STAFF SERGEANT BARRIER WAS KILLED IN ACTION AT SARMI IN NORTHWESTERN DUTCH NEW GUINEA, OVERLOOKING MAFFIN BAY, ON JUNE 1, 1944. POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART WITH 1 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE ARROWHEAD DEVICE AND 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.