David B. Barkley

David Bennes Barkley
David Bennes Barkley
Born	(1899-03-31)March 31, 1899 Laredo, Texas
Died	November 9, 1918(1918-11-09) (aged 19) Meuse River, France
Place of burial	San Antonio National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1917 - 1918
Rank	Private
Unit	356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Medal of Honor Croix de Guerre Croce al Merito di Guerra

David Bennes Barkley, also known as David B. Barkeley Cantu (March 31, 1899 – November 9, 1918), was posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War I in France. After successfully completing a scouting mission behind he swam back across the Meuse River.

Barkley was born in Laredo, Webb County, Texas to Josef Barkley and the former Antonia Cantu. He grew up with his Mexican-American mother and younger sister after his father left the family. He enlisted in the Army when the United States entered what was then known as the Great War. He used his Anglo father's name to avoid being segregated into a non-combat unit.

As a part of Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division in France, he and Sergeant M. Waldo Hatler swam across the Meuse River near Pouilly-sur-Meuse to get behind German lines and gather information about troop strength and deployments. They were able to gather the needed information; however, returning across the river, Barkley was "seized with cramps and drowned". (This is the exact wording from his citation, duplicated below.) Sergeant Hatler survived to bring the information back to their unit.

Barkley was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions, one of three Texans to be awarded the Medal of Honor during World War I. Additionally, France awarded him the Croix de Guerre, and Italy the Croce al Merito di Guerra.

Private Barkley lies in state at the Alamo, the second person to ever receive this honor. He was then buried at the San Antonio National Cemetery.