August 14, 2008

     Silas K. Barnes's Biographical Sketch

Silas was born on 13 December 1921 in Kansas City, Missouri.  Moved to Lexington, Missouri when Grandfather was granted legal guardian of Silas and his sister Delores.  Attended Arnold Elementary School at Lexington, Missouri 1928-1932 , Love Junior High School at Paris, Texas 1933-1934, Lexington High School at Lexington, Missouri 1935-1938.  Graduated in May 1939.
 
Joined the U. S. Marine Corps on 19 October 1940.  After boot camp joined  Co A,  1st Bn, 6th Marine, FMF at San Diego, California.
Transferred to Asia via the USS Henderson in May 1941.  Joined  Co A, 1st Separate Marine Bn. at Cavite, P.I.  May 13, 1941.  Performed guard duty aboard interned Danish Ships, Guard duty at Mariveles starting new Navy Yard, and Guard Duty at Olongapo.

Assigned to Co F, 2nd Bn, 4th Marine Regt. on 8 December 1941 at Olongapo.  Departed Olongapo on 24 December 1941 to Bataan.  Had Christmas dinner encamped just north of Mariveles.  Departed Mariveles for Corregidor on the 28 December 1941.  Unit was assigned to James Ravine for Beach defense of Corregidor.

Transferred to  Co D, 1st Bn, 4th Marine Regt. 11 January 1942, assigned to man a 50-Caliber Machine Gun just below Anti-Aircraft Battery above Calvary Beach.  Engaged the Japanese on the night of 5 May 1942 at Infantry Point and on 6 May 1942 on Calvary Beach.  I was bayoneted on the afternoon of 6 May 1942 during the fire fight with a Japanese patrol.  I was wounded in the chest, and turned in to the Hospital at Malinta Tunnel on 7 May 1942.  I WAS NOW A POW OF THE JAPANESE.

I was sent to Bilibid Prison at Manila until 6 June 1942, then to Manila Port Area on work detail until 18 July 1944.  Next a trip to Japan via the HELL SHIP Nissyo Maru arriving at Moji, Japan on 6 August 1944.  Then sent on work detail in lead mine at Kamioka, Japan until freed on 9 September 1945.

After being examined at U.S. Army field hospital was sent aboard USS Ozark for shipment to Guam.  Spent next week in Navy sick bay then sent to Stateside.

Arrived in San Francisco, California 2 October 1945 sent to Oak Knoll Navy Hospital at Oakland, California.  Returned to Active Duty at San Francisco, California on  4 March 1945.
  
Reenlisted 15 May 1946 at San Francisco, California. Spent 20 years in Marine Corps and retired at Albany, Georgia 15 June 1960.  Retired as Deputy Director of Plans & Systems Division at MCSC Albany, Georgia 15 June 1972.

By:
    Silas K. Barnes
   4812 Barnesway Lane
   Albany, GA 31705
   Telephone #: 229-432-7652
   E-mail: MrTigerBarnes@mchsi.com