Navy Federal Credit Union

Both Sergeant Hatler and Private Barkeley earned Medals of Honor for this action they performed together (despite the discrepancy in the official date of action reported in their citations.)

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    356th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 9, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 20 (January 30, 1919)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private David B. Barkeley (ASN: 1488756), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division, at Pouilly, France, on 9 November 1918. When information was desired as to the enemy’s position on the opposite side of the Meuse River, Private Barkeley, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation and swam the river to reconnoiter the exact location. He succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing. Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return, but before his goal was reached, he was seized with cramps and drowned.