Medal of Honor: William E. Barber – Korean War – November 28 to December 2, 1950

Name: William Earl Barber
Rank: Captain
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Place and Date: Chosin Reservoir, Korea – 28 November to 2 December 1950
Entered Service At: West Liberty, Kentucky
Born: November 30, 1919 – Dehart, Kentucky
Departed: April 19, 2002
Accredited To: Kentucky

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Summary of Action

From November 28 to December 2, 1950, Captain William E. Barber commanded Company F during one of the most desperate stands in Marine Corps history. Ordered to hold a narrow, ice-covered mountain pass — the only route out for thousands of Marines fighting their way from Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri — Barber and his men were soon surrounded by a regimental-sized Chinese force.

Throughout the first night a savage, seven-hour assault inflicted heavy casualties and sealed the company off from relief. When two reinforcing units were driven back, higher command ordered Barber to break out. He refused. With 8,000 Marines still trapped behind him and thousands more waiting ahead, abandoning the position meant disaster — and leaving wounded Marines who could not walk was unthinkable. Barber radioed that he would hold if supplied by air, choosing to risk the destruction of his company rather than allow the pass to fall.

On the morning of November 29, he was severely wounded in the leg, but he continued to command, directing fire and repositioning men even as he was carried along the line on a stretcher. For five days and six nights, his depleted company withstood repeated assaults in subzero temperatures, fighting off waves of attackers and killing an estimated 1,000 enemy troops.

When relief finally broke through, only 82 of the original 220 Marines could still stand. But the pass remained in Marine hands — and the division escaped because William Barber chose to stay.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Company F in action against enemy aggressor forces. Assigned to defend a 3-mile mountain pass along the division’s main supply line and commanding the only route of approach in the march from Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri, Capt. Barber took position with his battle-weary troops and, before nightfall, had dug in and set up a defense along the frozen, snow-covered hillside. When a force of estimated regimental strength savagely attacked during the night, inflicting heavy casualties and finally surrounding his position following a bitterly fought 7-hour conflict, Capt. Barber, after repulsing the enemy, gave assurance that he could hold if supplied by airdrops and requested permission to stand fast when orders were received by radio to fight his way back to a relieving force after 2 reinforcing units had been driven back under fierce resistance in their attempts to reach the isolated troops. Aware that leaving the position would sever contact with the 8,000 Marines trapped at Yudam-ni and jeopardize their chances of joining the 3,000 more awaiting their arrival in Hagaru-ri for the continued drive to the sea, he chose to risk loss of his command rather than sacrifice more men if the enemy seized control and forced a renewed battle to regain the position, or abandon his many wounded who were unable to walk.

Although severely wounded in the leg in the early morning of the 29th, Capt. Barber continued to maintain personal control, often moving up and down the lines on a stretcher to direct the defense and consistently encouraging and inspiring his men to supreme efforts despite the staggering opposition. Waging desperate battle throughout 5 days and 6 nights of repeated onslaughts launched by the fanatical aggressors, he and his heroic command accounted for approximately 1,000 enemy dead in this epic stand in bitter subzero weather, and when the company was relieved only 82 of his original 220 men were able to walk away from the position so valiantly defended against insuperable odds. His profound faith and courage, great personal valor, and unwavering fortitude were decisive factors in the successful withdrawal of the division from the deathtrap in the Chosin Reservoir sector and reflect the highest credit upon Capt. Barber, his intrepid officers and men, and the U.S. Naval Service.