07OCT1918: Serving as a scout with K Co. 4th IN, 3rd ID, PFC John Barkley was set forward of friendly lines, less than a kilometer from enemy forces. Noticing that his communication wire had been severed just as a German attack materialized, PFC Barkley took it upon himself to halt the advance. Moving forward, Barkley picked up an enemy machine gun and moved into an abandoned, burned out French tank. He gathered as much ammunition as possible and waited. As the German artillery fire lifted, he watched as the enemy forces advanced all around him. Waiting until the enemy forces were directly to each side, Barkley opened fire, completely halting portions of the attack. As soon as he opened fire Barkley gave his position away and that prompted a response from a German 77mm artillery piece at point blank range. Miraculously, Barkley survived and waited once more as the next wave of attackers reached his position before again opening fire. In stopping this second wave of attackers, PFC John Barkley allowed his unit to reinforce his position and hold the line. For his actions that day, Barkley would be awarded the Medal of Honor.

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