This Military Service Page was created/owned by
MAJ Mark E Cooper
to remember
Barton, Raymond Oscar (Tubby), MG USA(Ret).
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Contact Info
Last Address Augusta, GA
Date of Passing Feb 09, 1963
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Major General Raymond O. "Tubby" Barton
(1890 – 9 February 1963)
A graduate of the United States Military Academy as well as a career U.S. Army officer and combat commander in World War I and World War II. As commander of the 4th Infantry Division during World War II, Barton one of only eleven generals who commanded their divisions for the duration of their combat service.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy class of 1913. As commander of the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment he served in Germany from 1917 to 1923, being the last formation to leave.
He commanded the 4th Infantry Division from 3 July 1942 to 26 December 1944 and led them into battle from D-Day at Utah Beach, to the Liberation of Paris, and into the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest before leaving the command due to health problems on December 27, 1944.
During the war he became friends with Ernest Hemingway who sought his favor as the war correspondent assigned to the division and the two corresponded after.
Hemingway wrote to Barton:You had one of the greatest divisions in American military history.
During the Battle of Hurtgen Forest on the Weisser Weh stream near Grosshau, Germany General Barton gave up his belt for tourniquet material to medic Russell J. York of his division at York's request. Lives were saved, and a Silver Star was personally awarded to Technician (Medical) 4th Grade York by General Barton for his actions.
Barton died in 1963 and was buried at Westover Memorial Park in Augusta, Georgia.
In the film The Longest Day he is played by Edmond O'Brien. He appears in a scene where he allows his assistant, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (played by Henry Fonda), to lead the division ashore at D-Day.
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Ardennes Alsace Campaign (1944-45)
From Month/Year
December / 1944
To Month/Year
February / 1945
Description (Ardennes Alsace Campaign 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945) During their offensive in the Ardennes the Germans drove into Belgium and Luxembourg, creating a great bulge in the line. For some time the weather was bad, but when it cleared the Allies could send their planes to assist their ground forces by bombing and strafing the enemy’s columns, dropping paratroops and supplies, and interdicting the enemy’s lines of communications. By the end of January 1945 the lost ground had been regained and the Battle of the Bulge, the last great German offensive, was over.