Son of Nettie and Clarence
SOURCE: WAYCROSS JOURNAL-HERALD, Thursday, February 16, 2006, page 1
Remains Of Local Vietnam War Hero Found After 35 Years
The family of Major Jack Barker, a Waycrossan who died in the Vietnam War, has received news that his remains were found in Laos after 35 years.
Surviving family members are glad to be able to give him a proper funeral, which will take place in April at Arlington National Cemetery.
Four members of the 101st Airborne Division--including Barker, the pilot--died on March 20, 1971 when their UH-1H Huey helicopter was hit by enemy fire. It exploded in air, and there were no known survivors.
The chopper was on a mission to rescue troops surrounded by North Vietnamese soldiers. The enemy activity prevented any recovery attempts.
The Barker family members waited 35 years for word. They never gave up hope that the remains of their loved one would come home.
The Defense Department's POW/Missing Personnel Office officially announced Tuesday that the remains of the crew of four had been found by search teams from Laos and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command.
Now they have a burial service to plan.
"We were actually notified in October," said Debbie Winder, Barker's niece. "We are just thankful we can put this to rest, and bring him home."
Winder was 15 when she answered the phone call from the Army that told the family he was missing in action.
"It was devastating," she said. "My grandmother felt like he was still alive. She could never give in that he was killed."
The four Army helicopter crew members were Barker, Capt. John F. Dugan of Roselle, New Jersey, SP4 William E. Dillende, of Florida, and Pfc. John J. Chubb of Gardenia, California.
The incident in Laos, Barker's status as MIA and the family dealing with it was reported in the Journal-Herald in 1971. Author Earl Swift included their story in his book, "Where They Lay: Searching for America's Lost Soldiers."
A Thai refugee showed to (sic) search teams in 1986 an identification tag that belonged to Chubb. Search teams dug in three sites between 1988 and 2001, with no results.
They recovered a fragment of a human tooth and some crew-related artifacts in 2002. Further remains were located in October and November of 2004 by another joint team at a Huey crash site. The chopper contained material with insignia worn by soldiers of the 101st.
Barker was identified through dental records and tooth fragments, said a nephew of Barker, Steve Hinson of Brunswick.
"I was (Barker's) ringbearer at his wedding," said Hinson. "For us, it's been a dream…it's been just remarkable."
Barker and Dugan were piloting the helicopter with Dillender and Chubb on board while on a troop extraction mission in the Savannakhet province of Laos. Officials said that as the chopper approached the landing zone, it was hit by heavy enemy ground fire and exploded.
Barker, Dugan and Dillender will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in April, said the Defense Department's POW/Missing Personnel Office. Chubb was to be buried in Inglewood, Calif., this week.
Winder said Barker's funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 12. Among the 30-40 family members still living in the area, Winder named Barker's sister, Elizabeth Hinson, in Brunswick. His only living son, Michael Barker, lives in Arkansas.
Winder said that about 20 local family members are going to the funeral. They also hope to hold a local memorial service here later.
A total of 839 Americans have been found and accounted for in Southeast Asia since the end of the war, and 1,807 remain missing. Of those found and identified, 208 have been from losses in Laos.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Teresa Griffis
___________________
DSC 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.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
SOURCE: WAYCROSS JOURNAL-HERALD, Thursday, February 16, 2006, page 1
Remains Of Local Vietnam War Hero Found After 35 Years
The family of Major Jack Barker, a Waycrossan who died in the Vietnam War, has received news that his remains were found in Laos after 35 years.
Surviving family members are glad to be able to give him a proper funeral, which will take place in April at Arlington National Cemetery.
Four members of the 101st Airborne Division--including Barker, the pilot--died on March 20, 1971 when their UH-1H Huey helicopter was hit by enemy fire. It exploded in air, and there were no known survivors.
The chopper was on a mission to rescue troops surrounded by North Vietnamese soldiers. The enemy activity prevented any recovery attempts.
The Barker family members waited 35 years for word. They never gave up hope that the remains of their loved one would come home.
The Defense Department's POW/Missing Personnel Office officially announced Tuesday that the remains of the crew of four had been found by search teams from Laos and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command.
Now they have a burial service to plan.
"We were actually notified in October," said Debbie Winder, Barker's niece. "We are just thankful we can put this to rest, and bring him home."
Winder was 15 when she answered the phone call from the Army that told the family he was missing in action.
"It was devastating," she said. "My grandmother felt like he was still alive. She could never give in that he was killed."
The four Army helicopter crew members were Barker, Capt. John F. Dugan of Roselle, New Jersey, SP4 William E. Dillende, of Florida, and Pfc. John J. Chubb of Gardenia, California.
The incident in Laos, Barker's status as MIA and the family dealing with it was reported in the Journal-Herald in 1971. Author Earl Swift included their story in his book, "Where They Lay: Searching for America's Lost Soldiers."
A Thai refugee showed to (sic) search teams in 1986 an identification tag that belonged to Chubb. Search teams dug in three sites between 1988 and 2001, with no results.
They recovered a fragment of a human tooth and some crew-related artifacts in 2002. Further remains were located in October and November of 2004 by another joint team at a Huey crash site. The chopper contained material with insignia worn by soldiers of the 101st.
Barker was identified through dental records and tooth fragments, said a nephew of Barker, Steve Hinson of Brunswick.
"I was (Barker's) ringbearer at his wedding," said Hinson. "For us, it's been a dream…it's been just remarkable."
Barker and Dugan were piloting the helicopter with Dillender and Chubb on board while on a troop extraction mission in the Savannakhet province of Laos. Officials said that as the chopper approached the landing zone, it was hit by heavy enemy ground fire and exploded.
Barker, Dugan and Dillender will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in April, said the Defense Department's POW/Missing Personnel Office. Chubb was to be buried in Inglewood, Calif., this week.
Winder said Barker's funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 12. Among the 30-40 family members still living in the area, Winder named Barker's sister, Elizabeth Hinson, in Brunswick. His only living son, Michael Barker, lives in Arkansas.
Winder said that about 20 local family members are going to the funeral. They also hope to hold a local memorial service here later.
A total of 839 Americans have been found and accounted for in Southeast Asia since the end of the war, and 1,807 remain missing. Of those found and identified, 208 have been from losses in Laos.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Teresa Griffis
___________________
DSC 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.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
Son of Nettie and Clarence
SOURCE: WAYCROSS JOURNAL-HERALD, Thursday, February 16, 2006, page 1
Remains Of Local Vietnam War Hero Found After 35 Years
The family of Major Jack Barker, a Waycrossan who died in the Vietnam War, has received news that his remains were found in Laos after 35 years.
Surviving family members are glad to be able to give him a proper funeral, which will take place in April at Arlington National Cemetery.
Four members of the 101st Airborne Division--including Barker, the pilot--died on March 20, 1971 when their UH-1H Huey helicopter was hit by enemy fire. It exploded in air, and there were no known survivors.
The chopper was on a mission to rescue troops surrounded by North Vietnamese soldiers. The enemy activity prevented any recovery attempts.
The Barker family members waited 35 years for word. They never gave up hope that the remains of their loved one would come home.
The Defense Department's POW/Missing Personnel Office officially announced Tuesday that the remains of the crew of four had been found by search teams from Laos and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command.
Now they have a burial service to plan.
"We were actually notified in October," said Debbie Winder, Barker's niece. "We are just thankful we can put this to rest, and bring him home."
Winder was 15 when she answered the phone call from the Army that told the family he was missing in action.
"It was devastating," she said. "My grandmother felt like he was still alive. She could never give in that he was killed."
The four Army helicopter crew members were Barker, Capt. John F. Dugan of Roselle, New Jersey, SP4 William E. Dillende, of Florida, and Pfc. John J. Chubb of Gardenia, California.
The incident in Laos, Barker's status as MIA and the family dealing with it was reported in the Journal-Herald in 1971. Author Earl Swift included their story in his book, "Where They Lay: Searching for America's Lost Soldiers."
A Thai refugee showed to (sic) search teams in 1986 an identification tag that belonged to Chubb. Search teams dug in three sites between 1988 and 2001, with no results.
They recovered a fragment of a human tooth and some crew-related artifacts in 2002. Further remains were located in October and November of 2004 by another joint team at a Huey crash site. The chopper contained material with insignia worn by soldiers of the 101st.
Barker was identified through dental records and tooth fragments, said a nephew of Barker, Steve Hinson of Brunswick.
"I was (Barker's) ringbearer at his wedding," said Hinson. "For us, it's been a dream…it's been just remarkable."
Barker and Dugan were piloting the helicopter with Dillender and Chubb on board while on a troop extraction mission in the Savannakhet province of Laos. Officials said that as the chopper approached the landing zone, it was hit by heavy enemy ground fire and exploded.
Barker, Dugan and Dillender will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in April, said the Defense Department's POW/Missing Personnel Office. Chubb was to be buried in Inglewood, Calif., this week.
Winder said Barker's funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 12. Among the 30-40 family members still living in the area, Winder named Barker's sister, Elizabeth Hinson, in Brunswick. His only living son, Michael Barker, lives in Arkansas.
Winder said that about 20 local family members are going to the funeral. They also hope to hold a local memorial service here later.
A total of 839 Americans have been found and accounted for in Southeast Asia since the end of the war, and 1,807 remain missing. Of those found and identified, 208 have been from losses in Laos.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Teresa Griffis
___________________
DSC 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.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
SOURCE: WAYCROSS JOURNAL-HERALD, Thursday, February 16, 2006, page 1
Remains Of Local Vietnam War Hero Found After 35 Years
The family of Major Jack Barker, a Waycrossan who died in the Vietnam War, has received news that his remains were found in Laos after 35 years.
Surviving family members are glad to be able to give him a proper funeral, which will take place in April at Arlington National Cemetery.
Four members of the 101st Airborne Division--including Barker, the pilot--died on March 20, 1971 when their UH-1H Huey helicopter was hit by enemy fire. It exploded in air, and there were no known survivors.
The chopper was on a mission to rescue troops surrounded by North Vietnamese soldiers. The enemy activity prevented any recovery attempts.
The Barker family members waited 35 years for word. They never gave up hope that the remains of their loved one would come home.
The Defense Department's POW/Missing Personnel Office officially announced Tuesday that the remains of the crew of four had been found by search teams from Laos and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command.
Now they have a burial service to plan.
"We were actually notified in October," said Debbie Winder, Barker's niece. "We are just thankful we can put this to rest, and bring him home."
Winder was 15 when she answered the phone call from the Army that told the family he was missing in action.
"It was devastating," she said. "My grandmother felt like he was still alive. She could never give in that he was killed."
The four Army helicopter crew members were Barker, Capt. John F. Dugan of Roselle, New Jersey, SP4 William E. Dillende, of Florida, and Pfc. John J. Chubb of Gardenia, California.
The incident in Laos, Barker's status as MIA and the family dealing with it was reported in the Journal-Herald in 1971. Author Earl Swift included their story in his book, "Where They Lay: Searching for America's Lost Soldiers."
A Thai refugee showed to (sic) search teams in 1986 an identification tag that belonged to Chubb. Search teams dug in three sites between 1988 and 2001, with no results.
They recovered a fragment of a human tooth and some crew-related artifacts in 2002. Further remains were located in October and November of 2004 by another joint team at a Huey crash site. The chopper contained material with insignia worn by soldiers of the 101st.
Barker was identified through dental records and tooth fragments, said a nephew of Barker, Steve Hinson of Brunswick.
"I was (Barker's) ringbearer at his wedding," said Hinson. "For us, it's been a dream…it's been just remarkable."
Barker and Dugan were piloting the helicopter with Dillender and Chubb on board while on a troop extraction mission in the Savannakhet province of Laos. Officials said that as the chopper approached the landing zone, it was hit by heavy enemy ground fire and exploded.
Barker, Dugan and Dillender will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in April, said the Defense Department's POW/Missing Personnel Office. Chubb was to be buried in Inglewood, Calif., this week.
Winder said Barker's funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 12. Among the 30-40 family members still living in the area, Winder named Barker's sister, Elizabeth Hinson, in Brunswick. His only living son, Michael Barker, lives in Arkansas.
Winder said that about 20 local family members are going to the funeral. They also hope to hold a local memorial service here later.
A total of 839 Americans have been found and accounted for in Southeast Asia since the end of the war, and 1,807 remain missing. Of those found and identified, 208 have been from losses in Laos.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Teresa Griffis
___________________
DSC 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.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
Inscription
Major, US Army
Silver Star, Purple Heart
Gravesite Details
See his post at Arlington: Maj Jack Lamar Barker
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