Joseph Rhett Barker II was born on April 27, 1915, in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. He completed his education at the Birmingham University School, graduating in 1932. A lifelong horse enthusiast, he joined the Birmingham Sabres, a Cavalry unit of the Alabama National Guard, where he served as General Persons’ orderly during several strike duty tours. After excelling in a statewide competitive exam, he earned appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1938 as a Second Lieutenant in the Cavalry. His first posting was in the Philippines, where he served for two and a half years with the 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) prior to Pearl Harbor.

By spring 1941, as war loomed in the Pacific, defensive preparations intensified, culminating in the heroic but desperate stand through Bataan and Corregidor following the Japanese invasion in December 1941. After the fall of Bataan, he refused to surrender, retreating into the mountains and eventually joining Colonel Thorpe, who had been tasked by General MacArthur to organize guerrilla resistance even before the formal surrender. Serving as Thorpe’s Executive Officer, he later assumed command after Thorpe’s capture.

Joseph led an extensive guerrilla campaign across central Luzon, even entering Manila disguised as a priest to coordinate operations under the enemy’s nose. Though betrayed and captured on January 14, 1943, his organized resistance continued to expand, significantly aiding the later Allied victory in the Battle for Luzon. He was held as a Prisoner of War and subsequently executed in captivity by the Japanese on November 1, 1943. His name is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Silver Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Cavalry) Joseph Rhett Barker, II (ASN: 0-21155), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as troop and squadron commander of the 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts), in action against the enemy at Binalonan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 8 December 1941 to 9 April 1942. Captain Barker displayed gallantry at Binalonan, Philippine Islands, on 24 December 1941. During a heavy enemy ground attack, supported by air and tanks, Captain Barker, without regard for his own safety and with utter disregard of enemy fire, personally placed the elements of his troop in a defensive position. His coolness under fire and conspicuously gallant action inspired and encouraged his troops to make a determined stand. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Barker, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, alumni.westpointaog.org, valor.militarytimes.com