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Casualty Info
Home Town Bakersfield, CA
Last Address Bakersfield, CA
Casualty Date Sep 04, 1968
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Gun, Small Arms Fire
Location Quang Ngai (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Elmwood Cemetery - Columbia, South Carolina
Wall/Plot Coordinates 45W 035
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Silver Star
Awarded for actions during the Korean War. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Ferdinand Ora Barger, Jr. (ASN: 0-70262/2028661), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 7th Infantry Division, in action near Sang-Gasan, Korea, on 8 October 1952. General Orders: Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 78 (February 24, 1953), Action Date: October 8, 1952, Service: Army, Rank: Second Lieutenant, Division: 7th Infantry Division.
Legion of Merit
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Ferdinand Ora Barger, Jr. (ASN: 0-70262/2028661), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period 10 July 1968 to 4 September 1968, while serving as Psychological Warfare Advisor, Advisory Team 1, United States Army Advisory Group, I Corps Tactical Zone, Republic of Vietnam. During that period, while serving as Psychological Warfare Advisor to Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, Colonel Barger demonstrated courage, initiative, and ability far beyond that normally required by the position. By exhibiting professional competence and intense devotion to duty during the long and arduous hours he worked, he set an example that inspired his associates to strive for maximum achievement. He immediately established his effectiveness upon arrival in the province, visiting all districts of the province to spur local leaders to greater, more meaningful activity. Colonel Barger supervised the printing of newspapers, distribution of films, dissemination of leaflets, and production of radio programs, which brought the message of freedom to the Vietnamese citizens of the province. As a deep believer in teamwork and cooperation, he met great success in persuading military personnel and civilians, Americans and Vietnamese, to work harmoniously and effectively. He firmly believed he could not carry out his responsibilities from behind a desk in Quang Nam City; he traveled widely and frequently to remote areas of the province, seeking out the problems and solving them. Lieutenant Colonel Barger's professional competence and outstanding achievements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army. Action Date: July 10 - September 4, 1968, Service: Army, Rank: Lieutenant Colonel.
Comments/Citation:
Casualty Occurrence: This Soldier was killed by hostile small arms fire when the TRUCK he was a passenger in was AMBUSHED ON HIGHWAY QL-1 BETWEEN MO DUC AND QUANG NGAI, 19680904, in Quang Ngai Province.
The 3rd Posy Ops Battalion dedicated a classroom to LTC Ferdinand Ora Barger.
He was US Navy from 18 May 48 to 21 Aug 50
Enlisted 22 Aug 50 to 23 Nov 51 2lt Inf USAR
24 Nov 51 to 1lt AUS
28 Jan 53 RA 2lt Inf
12 Mar 54D/R 24 Nov 51 to 1lt 24 Nov 54 PL 18362
to Capt AUS 15 Aug 57 to Capt RA 24 Nov 58 PL 1977
POSTED ON 6.19.2007. POSTED BY: SON - FERDINAND. ANOTHER FATHERS DAY MISSING YOU. I posted this on another "Wall" site years ago and it still holds just as true today. Now that I have children the same age as my brothers and I when my father left for Vietnam, I understand the strength it must take to leave his family to fight for this country and his beliefs. He didn't have to go but said he should be with his men. Dad, you were a hero to me then and 32 years (now 39 years) later, that has not changed. Every time I hold my children, I remember you. I love and miss you so much. Dad, I wish I could have held you one more time. Love, your son Andy.
POSTED ON 6.16.2006. I SEE IT EVERY DAY. In my mind I see that olive-drab staff car with a white star on the door pulled up to the curb every day. It stopped at the curb of a busy street and I saw the men in uniform get out. They walked up an intermindably long white cement sidewalk. I momentarily thought it was Dad, but it wasn't. Somehow I felt it. I wasn't sure who was more scared, me or them. I was supposed to be upstairs in the bedroom where Mom had sent the other boys. But I wasn't with them. I had stopped to use the bathroom under the stairs. I hid back in the bathroom again. Some time later, I came out and saw my brothers on the couch crying. I didn't see my Mom or know where she was. I sat in my oldest brother's lap and asked what happened? What's wrong? He said only "Dad's dead." I wasn't sure what that meant. He told me, "he's never coming back." I understood that. He had left for long and short periods many times before. But he always came back. He always brought pepperidge farm candy sticks. My favorite was root beer. Or he'd bring left over K-rations or face camouflage sticks and we'd play soldier with our neighborhood, mostly civilians, friends. I'd run to the door and almost always get smacked on the forehead by his shiny brass or black belt buckle.
But this was different. I didn't understand exactly how and definitely not why. But I knew there would be no candy, no smack on the forehead. That meant Dad was home. And forever more no hug at the door. It is 38 father's days now without that hug. That just happens to be the number of years Dad was alive. I haven't had anywhere to send Father's Day cards except to The Wall. I feel closer to him there than to his gravesite. I haven't held Father's day celebrations but instead commemorations. My wife will tell you I celebrate and commemorate my father every day. Not to my eyes, but that's a different story. That damn sidewalk. I still go see it when I am back in town. I have had to make that long walk to someone else's house, someone else's kids, two times now. But never again. And now that this war has hit 2,500 dead. Please, somebody build their children a monument, their own "wall". Give them somewhere to share, to feel close, to connect, to try to heal. You'll never completely heal. You'll just stop bleeding yourself for most of the year.
POSTED ON 10.11.2004. POSTED BY: MARY ALICE BARGER. THE LOSS OF ONE I NEVER KNEW... This man was my grandfather, and now I will never get a chance to know him. However, being able to see his name up on that wall makes me proud. I am proud to be the granddaughter of a man I never had the chance to know, but recognize his greatness nonetheless.
POSTED ON 5.28.2002. POSTED BY: STEPHEN BARGER. A SON SPENDS HIS LIFE REMEMBERING. Another 38-year-old infantry LTC Barger. I visited the wall on 4 September 1999 as a major in the 6th Ranger Training Battalion after learning I would finally pin on the silver oak leaves that came back with my dad's body. "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me will be my brother." The "LT" in the vehicle with my Dad when he was ambushed, brought him home to us. Thank you for sparing us the anguish of being an MIA family.
POSTED ON 5.27.2002, NOT FORGOTTEN Sir-I am from Bakersfield. I did not serve under you. I was in a different unit, but I have seen your sacrifice. God Bless You and your family. "Rudy",
173rd (1966-67)
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase IV Campaign (1968)
From Month/Year
April / 1968
To Month/Year
June / 1968
Description This campaign was from 2 April to 30 June 1968. During this period friendly forces conducted a number of battalion-size attritional operations against the enemy.
Operations PEGASUS-Lam Son 207 relieved the Khe Sanh Combat Base on 5 April and thereby opened Route 9 for the first time since August 1967. This operation not only severely restricted the North Vietnamese Army's use of western Quang Tri Province but also inflicted casualties on the remnants of two North Vietnamese divisions withdrawing from the area. This success was followed by a singular allied spoiling operation in the A Shau Valley, Operation DELAWARE-Lam Son. These two operations prevented the enemy from further attacking I Corps Tactical Zone population centers and forced him to shift his pressure to the III Corps Tactical Zone.
During the period 5-12 May 1968 the Viet Cong launched an offensive with Saigon as the primary objective. Friendly forces defended the city with great determination. Consequently Saigon was never in danger of being overrun. Small Viet Cong units that did manage to get into the outskirts were fragmented and driven out with great loss of enemy life. By the end of June 1968 friendly forces had decisively blunted the enemy's attacks, inflicted very heavy casualties, and hindered his ability to attack urban areas throughout the Republic of Vietnam. The enemy was forced to withdraw to his sanctuaries.
The strength of the U.S. Army in Vietnam reach a peak of nearly 360,000 men during this period.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Ferdinand Ora Barger, Jr. (ASN: 0-70262/2028661), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 7th Infantry Division, in action near Sang-Gasan, Korea, on 8 October 1952. 
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Ferdinand Ora Barger, Jr. (ASN: 0-70262/2028661), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period 10 July 1968 to 4 September 1968, while serving as Psychological Warfare Advisor, Advisory Team 1, United States Army Advisory Group, I Corps Tactical Zone, Republic of Vietnam. During that period, while serving as Psychological Warfare Advisor to Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, Colonel Barger demonstrated courage, initiative, and ability far beyond that normally required by the position. By exhibiting professional competence and intense devotion to duty during the long and arduous hours he worked, he set an example that inspired his associates to strive for maximum achievement. He immediately established his effectiveness upon arrival in the province, visiting all districts of the province to spur local leaders to greater, more meaningful activity. Colonel Barger supervised the printing of newspapers, distribution of films, dissemination of leaflets, and production of radio programs, which brought the message of freedom to the Vietnamese citizens of the province. As a deep believer in teamwork and cooperation, he met great success in persuading military personnel and civilians, Americans and Vietnamese, to work harmoniously and effectively. He firmly believed he could not carry out his responsibilities from behind a desk in Quang Nam City; he traveled widely and frequently to remote areas of the province, seeking out the problems and solving them. Lieutenant Colonel Barger's professional competence and outstanding achievements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army. 
