Barker, Paul Leroy, PFC

Casualty Occurrence:  Private Barker was killed by shell fragments from a North Vietnamese Army artillery projectile when his company was attacked by a well-entrenched North Vietnamese battalion defending the strategic village of Nhi Ha. Cross cut by hedgerows and shell-pocked hooches, Nhi Ha was located on the main infiltration route from North Vietnam to South Vietnam. Private Barker's company could not see the North Vietnamese Army troops dug in and waiting behind the hedgerows. The initial shockwave of enemy artillery and automatic weapons fire devastated Private Barker's platoon. He was killed by the first artillery shell to impact among the American troops. It was later determined that elements of the 4th Battalion, 270th Independent North Vietnamese Army Regiment, were defending Nhi Ha at that time.
Source: National Purple Heart Roll of Honor

 

Paul was my second cousin. I remember my mom telling me about their days as kids. Family get-togethers. She said Paul was always very shy, but always smiling. She thought the Army would be a good place for him to come out of his shell. I knew he was heading to Vietnam but as a child it didn't sink in that he would not come home alive. .He was killed after only twenty-nine days "In Country." Rest In Peace Cousin, We Remember.

POSTED ON 10.31.2001. POSTED BY: BOBBY VEZINA. TO MY OLD FRIEND AND PATRIOT OF THIS COUNTRY. I was saddened when I heard about Paul's death. I grew up with Paul in Oxford, Me. in the 60's and loved hanging out with Paul and his brother David. Paul loved my mothers pastries (especially whoopie pies) so I always would bring some for him when we would get together. His father made home brew so once in a while when we were alittle older we'd sneak a sip now and then. I always looked forward to seeing Paul and his family as I went to school with his sisters also. They were a good family. When I was in Washington a few years ago I stopped by to visit Paul I am proud to say. As time has a way of seperating people, feelings and relationships I will never forget Paul as a person, an American and above all my friend.

POSTED ON 8.17.2006. POSTED BY: KELLY JEAN (BARKER) SILKE. ALWAYS A VOID IN MY LIFE... It was very difficult growing up without a father, although my mother and grandmother did an excellent job raising me. My mother never found a man as special as my father again. It's such a sad story...to have a life end at the mere age of 20. I thank GOD for the memories I have of my father being home on leave, it must be a gift from GOD because most people have no memories at 2 yrs old. I wish he could have seen me grow up, graduate, and get married. I have four beautiful daughters that never knew their grandfather. He will always be in my heart & soul. It was such a senseless war...GOD bless all the veterans and their families.

Len Greaney. 74, Andover Rd., Rumford, ME., 04276, USA. We have not, forgotten you and your service, to our country. We have planned, a special event, to be held, on May 19, 2007, to honor you and 30+, others, Oxford County, Maine, Vietnam Veterans. Following a parade, to be attended, by Federal, State and local dignitaries, we will unveil a unique, Vietnam, War Memorial, in our Rumford, Veteran's Park. Your name, rank, service branch, unit, date, of death and town will be etched, on the memorial, for all times. We have invited, members, of your family to attend, the ceremony. We will not, forget you. Feb 22, 2007.