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<em>Hal Barber</em>, Army born and bred, was the son of a cavalry officer who himself, one blistering hot day of long ago, had charged up San Juan hill. To speak of Hal Barber, is to speak of one where superlatives fail to do justice, for here was a soldier who could do everything, do it well, and all with innate modesty. His service varied from that of company command in the First World War where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism to that of Assistant Division Commander in the Fourth Division in the Second World War. Between wars he served two tours at the Military Academy and there are men, now wearing stars, “his cadets”, who remember him as the beau ideal of a soldier. He was not only a troop leader; as the head of the North American Theater of the Operations Division of the War Department General Staff, he assisted in planning the Adak expedition that was to successfully recapture the first land lost on this continent for a hundred years and he assisted in planning the landing of the Fourth Division, a matchless task in the greatest amphibious operation the world has ever known. He headed the Latin American Theater where he exercised not only his wide military knowledge but also displayed diplomatic skill in delicate operations with the proud people of Brazil, at a time when our relations with our neighbors to the south were not always on the present friendly basis. He served as the Military Attaché to Cuba and Head of Mission to Colombia and his last military duty was with the Army Field Forces until he retired in 1951.</p>
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When trouble started in Korea, Hal came storming back, asking for active duty in what would have been his third war. Under the policy then in vogue, his offer was not accepted but if the Department of Defense could not use him, the State Department could; his last duty was Special Advisor to the Ambassador in Spain until his tour expired and he again retired in 1955.</p>
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I always think of Hal as the perfect soldier, competent, modest and courageous, one it was a joy to see. I remember him best for his bright blue eyes, eyes that had stared death in the face unafraid and sparkled with the joy of living as he talked to you.</p>
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His passing is a grievous loss, not only to the Army but to the country. We shall miss him and the many who loved him, mourn him deeply.</p>
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<em>—Colonel Paul H. Goode, USA. Rtd.</em></p>
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