 |
MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Sep '91
John Curran Barrett, Jr. No.15890 Class of 1946
Died 17 April 1990 in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, aged 65 years.
Interment: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
|
Born in Omaha, Nebraska on 16 September 1924, John
C. Barrett, Jr. was one of five brothers. John was an excellent
student and athlete in high school and received a football scholarship
to Iowa State University. He chose, however, to attend Creighton
University in Omaha. While at Creighton, John joined the Reserves,
and his unit was called to active duty in early 1943. John was
in basic training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas when he was appointed
to West Point; he entered the Academy on 1 July 1943 with the
Class of 1946.
Cadet life was relatively uneventful for John.
His roommate, Frank Blazey, recalls that John had many enduring
and worthy qualities that helped the two of them weather the
many hazards of cadet life. John's athletic prowess contributed
much to his company intramural teams. Even as a cadet, John had
the determination, sharp intellect, intense enthusiasm and humor
with which to become an outstanding leader of troops. Graduation
saw John commissioned in the Infantry.
He went first to Fort Benning, Georgia for the
Basic Infantry Course. From Benning, John went to Japan and then
to Fort Carson, Colorado. He was a platoon leader in K Company,
14th Infantry Regiment at Fort Carson when his battalion was
moved to Korea to become the 3rd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment
of the 1st Cavalry Division. On the Pusan Perimeter in late summer
of 1950, the 1st Cav was deployed north of Taegu. The North Korean
Peoples Army (NKPA) offensive at Taegu reached its high-water
mark on 11 September when it seized a dominant hill just seven
miles north of Taegu. The Eighth Army commander then ordered
an all-out "do or die" counterattack by the 1st Cavalry
Division. In the ensuing fighting, First Lieutenant Barrett received
the Silver Star for his actions on 12 September. The citation
for his award reads in part, "Leading a platoon in an aggressive
assault on an enemy held position north of Taegu, Lieutenant
Barrett's bold and skillful actions were conspicuously evidenced.
Despite the fact that he was wounded, he never stopped fighting
and valiantly led his men in the face of heavy mortar, small
arms and automatic weapons fire from a fanatically determined
and numerically superior enemy.... John fought with his unit
into North Korea and back after the Chinese entered the war.
Promoted to captain, he took command of L Company, 5th Cavalry
Regiment. On 15 February 1951, John and his company were participants
in the epic relief of Colonel Paul Freeman's 23rd Infantry besieged
at Chip Yong-ni. A complete account of this action as described
by John to the author can be found starting on page 706 of Clay
Blair's The Forgotten War". John was wounded a second time
in this action and his company received a Presidential Unit Citation
for its valor.
From Korea, John returned to Fort Benning, where
he met and married Gretchen Brown in Columbus, Georgia on 16
August 1952. From Benning, John and Gretchen returned to John's
hometown, Omaha, Nebraska, where he was assigned to the ROTC
program at Creighton University. It was during this assignment
that Gretchen got to know all of John's family. The Barretts
moved to Germany in 1955, where John took over a company in the
1st Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment in Furth, Germany. Colonel
William (Don) Old (Ret), USMA '54 was a lieutenant in John's
company and recalls what it was like to serve under John. He
was in the business of educating and training lieutenants to
be soldiers, officers and company commanders. Don Old considers
himself very fortunate to have served with a man who taught him
that being a soldier was the most important thing, and that if
you were a soldier, being an officer came easily. As a captain,
John had a ready temper and no one, from civilian to general,
had better mistreat his soldiers. He was truly responsible for
everything his company did or failed to do. His temper, defense
of those under him and positive corrections earned him the title
of "Bad Man" Barrett. Duty as an officer in B Company,
39th Infantry Regiment was a tour in the "School of the
Lieutenant." Don Old remarked that there are few John C.
Barretts in one's life. John is gone, but he still lives! In
the Army there are many soldiers who are better off because he
taught the art of command to lieutenants many years ago, and
those lieutenants taught it to their lieutenants.
From company commander, John moved to Headquarters,
Seventh Army G-3 Section. Following this tour, the Barretts moved
to Fort Monroe, Virginia where John was assigned to the Visitors
Bureau at Headquarters, Continental Army Command. From CONARC,
John attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas. After graduation (#2 in his class), John was sent to
Laos where he served with the Military Assistance Advisory Group.
In 1962, John returned to Fort Leavenworth to serve as an instructor
in division offensive operations. Colonel James Love, for whom
John had worked at CONARC, was his boss when he arrived at Fort
Leavenworth. Jim recalls that John was a master at making what
might be complicated look simple, and he did it without appearing
to exert any great effort. He was a clear thinker and expressed
himself well. Colonel Bob Dwan (Ret), USMA June 1943, remembers
that John was professionally competent in all phases of division
operations. Integrity, character, self-discipline, professional
competence, superb self-confidence and mental acuity, combined
with intellectual brilliance, emanated from John. Bob recalls
that while John had a great ability to critique a plan, paper
or exercise, he had an even rarer talent in creating his own
from scratch.
From Fort Leavenworth, John attended the National
War College. After graduation, he again went to Germany where
he commanded the 1st Battalion, 39th Infantry, the same unit
in which he commanded a company in the 1950's. From battalion
commander, John moved to V Corps to become the G-3 under Lieutenant
General Andrew J. Boyle (US MA 1935). General Boyle recalls that
John did a superb job as his G-3; his marvelous positive attitude
was a tower of strength on the Corps Staff, and he was one of
the finest officers he has ever known.
From Germany, John traveled to Korea where he became
chief of staff, 2nd Division. Returning to the States, John was
assigned as secretary, Command and General Staff College at Fort
Leavenworth. From Fort Leavenworth, John moved to Fort Sam Houston,
Texas to serve as assistant chief of staff, Fifth Army. A close
friend and classmate, Dick Bresnahan, arrived after John to become
chief of staff. He remembers John's great wit, and keen, dry
sense of humor. He pulled pranks that were original, unusual
and hilarious.
John retired from the Army in 1976 as a colonel,
receiving the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his
service to the Army. Shortly thereafter, he became city manager
of Terrell Hills, Texas, an enclave in San Antonio. A prolific
writer, John spent his time writing letters to public officials
and editors. He kept abreast of national affairs and knew each
senator and congressman by name. His letters and comments were
well researched, beautifully written and to the point. Bob Dwan
edited a selection of John's writings and put them into a book.
John loved his family and doted on his two daughters and three
grandchildren. Regrettably he developed a pulmonary problem and
on 17 April 1990 died from complications of this problem. He
is survived by his wife Gretchen; daughters, Gretchen and Elizabeth;
three brothers; a sister and three grandchildren.
The response for input to this memorial for John
C. Barrett, Jr. was overwhelming. That he was admired, respected
and loved was most evident. The following represents some of
the remembrances of a fine soldier:
"Everyone who knew John loved him as a friend.
As a professional, he earned great respect from peers, subordinates
and his bosses. He set high standards for himself and his units,
and made certain that his troops met these standards."
"His deft touch and nimble pace in the paper
wars of higher staff were matched by his tireless and endlessly
innovative techniques as a commander; and in both environments
his more obvious moves were based on and grew out of a preparation
and background that can only be classified as pure professionalism."
"The words DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY are heard
more frequently, I fear, than they are pursued. They usually
slip quite easily into conversation and into obituaries. However,
it is much rarer to know a man personally who truly lived and
personified those lofty high standards. John Barrett was such
a man."
John Barrett was a devoted husband. Just before
his death, almost too weak to hold a pencil, he wrote a note
to his dear Gretchen stating his pride and joy for the privilege
of calling her his wife. At John's funeral, two of his closest
friends, LTC Earl C. Hardy (USMA '45) and BG John W. Collins
(USMA June '43) delivered the eulogies.
To these moving eulogies, the Class of 1946 can
only add, "Well Done, John; Be Thou At Peace."
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Gretchen
|