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Remember... George Milton Barrick Jr.
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George attended West Virginia University for three years before enlisting in the Army in June 1944. While serving in World War II, he participated in the Battle of the Bulge. By the time of his discharge, he had attained the rank of corporal.
He resumed his studies at West Virginia University after the war. After receiving his bachelor of arts in January 1948, George pursued his master's degree in history. While a student, he was a member of St. John Chapel, the Sons of the Revolution, General Daniel Morgan Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Newman Club, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Scabbard and Blade, and Sphinx.
George received a commission in the Army before he could complete his master's degree. Lieutenant Barrick was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, from January 1949 until he was ordered to Japan in May 1950. A short time after his arrival in Japan he was sent to Korea, where he served with the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division.
Lt. George M. Barrick was reported killed in the Chockiwon area of South Korea on July 12, 1950, while commanding an ammunition and pioneer weapons platoon of Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment. Decades later, R. E. Culbertson, a member of Barrick's company, recalled that Lt. Wadie Roundtree, also a member of that company, stated that he had seen George lying beside the road. His head was bleeding, and he appeared mortally wounded. Although a prisoner and unable to stop, Lt. Roundtree was able to ask George if the North Koreans were responsible for his injuries. The reply was "yes." Culbertson later saw Barrick's body in the same place and reported that he looked as though he had been run over by a tank.
The body of Lt. George M. Barrick was returned to the United States in June 1951 and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, the former Sara Taylor, and a son, George M. Barrick III.
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.
