Born as an Army Brat in Washington, DC, on 11 December 1918, he spent many of his early years at Fort Meade, Maryland, where his parents were stationed. Surrounded by Army life and friends of his father, the late Colonel George D. Barnes, John as a boy formed a strong desire to be one of them. He moved to Benning with his family for a short interval and again back to Maryland. His first three years of high school were spent at Baltimore Polytechnique Institute and his senior year he prepped for West Point at Columbia Preparatory School in Washington, DC.

Through the Texas National Guard, he was given an appointment to enter the Academy, and from then on his only desire was to become a good cadet and officer.

John is survived by his two sons, John and Tommy; his wife Lucy; his mother Mrs. June W. Barnes; and his sister Mrs. Mary Lee Gapen, wife of Colonel R. D. Gapen, West Point ’36, Air Force.

Although John has left us temporarily, his fineness and love remain with us. His career was short-lived, ’tis true, but wherever he may be, he is still Army through and through.

John graduated with the first war-accelerated class in January 1943. Those were fast-moving times and with his classmates he had to move right along with history. After a short graduation leave, he reported to Fort Benning for a brief basic course of instruction. Shortly thereafter, he received his choice of combat divisions, and in May reported to the 95th Infantry Division then stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. From his initial assignment as s platoon leader, John rose to command of Company G, 379th infantry. With that organization he attended Louisiana maneuvers, California desert training, and the West Virginia Mountain Warfare School. In August 1944, the division was ordered to the European Theater of Operations. At first it seemed that it had arrived too late for active combat, but events proved that the hardest days were yet ahead. In November, the division received a mission that was to be its supreme test — reduction of fortress Metz. John was a company commander, trained in the hardest school in the world, to lead men in battle. His chance came in the assault on Metz, and he did not fail. For leading his company in the elimination of a particularly stubborn fort in the Metz chain, John was awarded a Bronze Star for gallantry. In December, after receiving the purple heart for being wounded in action, John was returned to the United States for a aeries of training assignments.

In January 1946, John was ordered to Panama. For the next three years he enjoyed assignments with the 33rd Infantry and Headquarters, Pacific Sector, Panama.

Duty at Fort Benning came again in 1949. A short tour with the 30th Infantry was followed by the advanced Infantry Course at the Infantry School. Graduation from the school was followed by three very pleasant years of ROTC duty at the University of California.

By this time, however, war had come again. Combat leaders were at a premium and John was one of the best. In August 1953, he was assigned to the 2nd battalion of the 23rd Infantry in Korea. His service was, as usual, distinguished and his unit was awarded the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

The following year, John was back once again at Fort Benning. This time he was given the important task of commanding the officer candidate battalion. Later, he was assigned to the faculty of the Infantry School. This proved to be John—s last assignment, for in March 1955 he died of coronary thrombosis.

John’s passing was a tremendous loss to his family, his friends and his classmates. His potential to the service he loved so well can only be estimated. Certainly his native ability, his conscientious attentions to duty, and his outstanding leadership qualities would have taken him to high command. Our memories of John are good ones. He was proud without being arrogant, intelligent without being overbearing, and forthright in the causes he believed in. The Long Gray Line can accept this man with the full assurance of all who knew him that he was soldier every step of the way

— M.L.G.