From Orphaned Outcast to Medal of Honor: The Tragic Triumph of Charles Barger

A dark time marked the start of Charles Barger's life. Born into Kansas's notorious Staffelbach crime family, he lost his father to prison for murder when he was young, and his foster parents soon after died. Barger worked on farms until he joined the Army in 1917 because he had to drop out of school in the fourth grade.

Barger quickly demonstrated his bravery in France. During one mission, he found and rescued a dead soldier while also taking five German prisoners. Barger made his name, though, during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive on October 31, 1918. Along with Jesse Funk, he ran into enemy fire to save two hurt officers, taking them across 500 yards of bullet-filled No Man's Land, even though he had already been hit several times.

To honor this brave action, Gen. John Pershing gave him the Medal of Honor in February 1919. Even though Barger was a valiant soldier, the wounds of war would never go away. With PTSD, exposure to mustard gas, and money problems, it was hard for him to take care of his family. The Veterans' Administration kept turning down his claims for benefits, which made him feel even worse.

Barger's pain reached a tragic peak on November 23, 1936, when he set fire to his farm and was shot and killed by police during a shootout. 

Even though Charles Barger died tragically, his memory lives on as an example of strength and bravery in the face of adversity.

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