Jack Lamar Barker
Major, U.S. Army

Jack Lamar Barker is the son of Clarence Winfield and Nettie Virginia O'Berry Barker.

On 20 March 1971, Major Jack Lamar Barker was serving with Company B, 101st Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter), (Ambulance), 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in Laos.

On that day, MAJ Barker was piloting an observation helicopter during extraction operations of South Vietnamese troops near Fire Support Base Brown, in Laos. As his aircraft approached the pickup zone, the enemy unleashed a barrage of automatic weapons fire upon his helicopter, forcing the landing to be aborted. On the second approach, the enemy flak was so intense that the rescue effort was again aborted. Sustaining severe battle damage to his aircraft, MAJ Barker flew his crippled airship back to Khe Sanh. Knowing that the wounded men needed immediate evacuation, MAJ Barker mounted another helicopter and again departed to the besieged pickup zone. As his aircraft made its final descent, it was struck by an enemy rocket propelled grenade round, causing the ship to explode in mid-air. MAJ Barker died in the ensuing crash. MAJ Barker's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Award Numeral 24
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Army Aviator Badge
Parachutist Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Jack Lamar Barker, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force, while serving with Company B, 101st Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter), (Ambulance), 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in Laos. Major Barker distinguished himself while piloting an observation helicopter during extraction operations of South Vietnamese troops near Fire Support Base Brown, Laos. As his aircraft approached the pickup zone, the enemy unleashed a barrage of automatic weapons fire upon his helicopter, forcing the attempt to be aborted. On the second approach, the enemy flak was so intense that the rescue effort was again aborted. Sustaining severe battle damage to his aircraft, Major Barker flew his crippled airship back to Khe Sanh. Realizing that the wounded personnel needed immediate evacuation, Major Barker mounted another helicopter and again departed to the besieged pickup zone. As his aircraft made its final descent, it was struck by an enemy rocket propelled grenade round, causing the ship to explode in mid-air. Major Barker expired in the ensuing crash. Major Barker's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2264-247 (June 29, 1971)

Honors

The name Jack L Barker is located on Panel 04W Line 059 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Death and Burial

Major Jack Lamar Barker died on 20 March 1971 but was listed as Missing in Action following the engagement that earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. His remains were recovered on 5 December 2002 and returned to the United States. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA.

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