Caruth Alexander Barker, JR

Enlisted with the US Marines during WWII on March 18, 1942 & commissioned November 25, 1942. On July 2, 1943, while his unit was flying a combat patrol around Rendova Island, they were attacked by 30-40 Zeros (Japanese long range fighter planes). One got on his tail & chased him down into a cloud, guns firing. Lt. McCartney, who was also taking fire, witnessed the chase. When he failed to return from his mission, he was reported Missing In Action. After a year passed without any indication of his survival, he was declared dead on July 3, 1944. He was posthumously promoted from Lieutenant to Captain & awarded the Air Medal & Purple Heart Medal. There are memorial markers for him at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines & at the Atkins City Cemetery in Atkins, AR.