Michael McKee Barr
Michael McKee Barr
U.S. Marine Corps
Lance Corporal [E-3]
Biography:
Michael McKee Barr graduated from Fort Madison Community High School in the class of 1965. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad before joining the Marine Corps in February 1966. As a young man he liked horses and participated in rodeos. He completed Marine Corps trainings at Camp Pendleton, CA and in Memphis, TN. LCPL Barr specialized in aircraft maintenance. He started a 13 month tour in November 1967, first he was assigned to the USS <i>Valley Forge</i> and then moved to Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. LCPL Barr was killed on March 29, 1968 while a gunner aboard a CH-46 “Sea Knight” helicopter. The chopper was transporting troops into a combat zone when the aircraft was shot down. The 20-year-old’s body was returned to Iowa and buried at the Oakland Cemetery in Fort Madison. He was posthumously awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart.
County:
Lee
City of Entry | Fort Madison | |
Conflict/Time Period | Vietnam War | Service Location | Organization(s) | Separation Status | Killed In Action (KIA) | Specialty/Rate | Specific Jobs |