Wilbur Barnes
Bio
Wilbur Barnes was drafted into the United States Army in 1950. He describes his experiences in the newly integrated Army and his feelings on integration. In Korea, he served in the artillery first as a gunner on a 105mm Howitzer and after hearing loss, served as a forward observer for the artillery. One of his memories is of the cold and particularly eating cold food because they could not have fires. He discusses getting mail and packages and how different Korea was from soldiers communicating with families today. He recalls almost not being promoted and his pride of being the only Black Sergeant in his unit.
Video Clips
Basic Training and Integration
Wilbur Barnes discusses his experiences in the newly integrated United States Army, including basic training in Camp Chafee, Arkansas. He shares how the camp still had separate clubs based on race even though anyone could go to either club. He discusses choosing Arkansas over California for basic training since it was closer to home and would be easier to travel during leave.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gOrbXUjRAw&start=118&end=305
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/wilbur-barnes#clip-1
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Serving in Korea
Wilbur Barnes discusses what it was like on a 105mm Howitzer crew. He recalls losing his hearing and being moved to a forward observer because of hearing loss. He notes how everywhere was the front.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gOrbXUjRAw&start=385&end=481
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/wilbur-barnes#clip-2
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Cold Living Conditions
Wilbur Barnes discusses how, on the front, they always ate cold food since they could not have fires. He remembers being on duty for thirty-six to forty-eight hours. He notes that the canned food of today is better than the quality of canned food he experienced in Korea.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gOrbXUjRAw&start=484&end=582
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/wilbur-barnes#clip-3
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Receiving Mail and Supplies
Wilbur Barnes recalls communicating with family through letter and how soldiers could receive packages from home. He remembers not receiving many packages because of the cost and how his wife could not afford to send much. He shares how there was limited ability to purchase items in Korea.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gOrbXUjRAw&start=1236&end=1485
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/wilbur-barnes#clip-4
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Promotion Experience
Wilbur Barnes explains how he almost missed out on an opportunity for promotion. He recounts how the Master Sergeant in his unit fought to make sure he was promoted. He recalls being the only Black Sergeant in his unit.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gOrbXUjRAw&start=2990&end=3212
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/wilbur-barnes#clip-5
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