Owen Merton Barber
Private Owen M. Barber served with Charlie Company, 2nd Marine Raider Battalion.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 11 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 338961
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
July 26, 1922
at Ada, MN
Parents
Albert M. Barber
Mattie (Pryor) Barber (d. 1930)
Education
Moweaqua High School (1940)
Occupation & Employer
Davey Tree Surgeons
(Kansas City, MO)
Service Life
Entered Service
January 5, 1942
at Kansas City, MO
Home Of Record
Pana, IL
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Albert M. Barber
Military Specialty
Raider
Primary Unit
C/2nd Raider Battalion
(Carlson’s Raiders)
Campaigns Served
Midway
Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Owen Barber was a member of Carlson’s Raiders during the “Long Patrol” – an ambitious operation to harass and disrupt Japanese units during the Guadalcanal campaign. The Marines landed at Aola on 4 November 1942 and began working their way towards the main perimeter at Lunga Point, fighting small skirmishes and ambushes as they went.
On 11 November 1942, as the Raiders advanced on the village of Asamana, a battalion-sized Japanese force opened fire. Company C was crossing an open field when the fight began, and suffered a number of casualties in the first few minutes. Survivors were pinned in the field for hours; some managed to make their own way back to safety, while others had to wait for the cover of darkness. Wounded men unable to move were in serious danger, especially when Japanese patrols began combing through the area.
Private Barber had the misfortune to fall with a serious wound – and was found by a vengeful Japanese squad. Horrified Raiders hiding in the grass nearby listened as Barber was slowly tortured to death. The mutilated body was found the following day.
I eventually came across a pathway someone else had made during “C” Company’s initial engagement earlier in the day and I followed that, hoping it would take me in the right direction. That is how I happened to stumble onto the trampled-down growth of kunai where Owen Barber, one of “C” Company’s brave young Raiders, had come to the end of his stay with us here on earth. One quick glance told me all that I will ever need to know about the insanity of war or the misguided notions of the sick individuals who attempt to glorify it.
The memory of Guadalcanal that will forever remain with me is the vile taste of vomit that filled my throat at the sight of the decapitated torso that confronted me in that clearing. If I live to be a hundred I won’t forget the revulsion I felt at that moment or the wave of anger that swept over me at the sight of the mutilated remains displayed with profane disregard for all that should be held decent within the brotherhood of man.
Burial Information or Disposition
The seven Raiders killed in the battle of “Bloody Plains” were buried in the field, somewhere in the vicinity of Asamana. No further information was recorded, and the site was never found by post-war searches.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Albert Barber.
Location Of Loss
Private Barber was killed in action near the village of Asamana.
Joseph Homer Harrison was with him and died there as well. We have always wanted him home in Gorman Texas to be buried with his twin brother Edward.
Joseph Homer Harrison was my Grand Uncle brother of my Grandmother Pauline.
He is my great uncle.
We are searching for relatives of Owen Merton Barber. Our mother, Barbara Rose Barber was the sister of Owen. Barbara and Dallas, another brother were placed in an orphanage when their mother died. They were never reunited. There was another brother, Delford, who stayed with the father and Owen. I was recently contacted by an individual who contracts with the Marine Corps and is attempting to identify remains, which they believe are Owen’s. I am hoping there are some remaining relatives who could help fill in the missing pieces. S. Engesether