PFC Henry Nicholas Barrois,  Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Dee Brunner-Beck


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{Published in The Plaquemines Gazette on October 22, 1996}

  (Editor's Note: The Medal of Honor Park Committee is actively seeking 
stories of our own home grown heroes. There are many men and women of 
our parish who have served bravely and valiantly in the military and 
they have not only a story to tell but, their story is part of history 
that has to be recorded before it fades away. Most of them may be 
reluctant to tell the rest of us their story because they don't want to 
"brag". So we have to call on relatives and friends; are you one? Send 
your story to Medal of Honor Park, P0. Box 508, Belle Chasse, La. 70037 
or call Murray Naquin at 394-2892. Let us hear from you!)
  As told by Clyde J. Barrois, son of PFC Henry Nicholas Barrois, United 
States Army, Infantry, World War I.
  The United States of America honors the memory of Henry N. Barrois. 
This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of 
devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the 
Armed Forces of the United States.
  This certificate and words were written and presented to the family 
of Henry N. Barrois by President Lyndon Johnson in recognition of the 
Veterans of World War I.
  My father, Henry, was inducted into the United States Army1 at age 
24, on September 19, 1917, at Jesuit Bend, La. After a brief training 
period at Camp Beauregard, La., he was sent overseas as a member of 
Company H, 7th U.S. Infantry, 3rd Division,  American Expeditionary 
Forces under the command of General "Blackjack" Pershing. Henry fought 
in battle against German forces in the 2nd Battle of Aisne - Marne 
(Meuse Argonne  Forrest),  France, defensive sector, and was wounded 
in action, sustaining serious wounds to the left leg and knee on July 
16, 1918.
  One can only imagine the anguish and anxiety felt by his mother and 
family when they received a telegram from the War Dept. in December, 
almost four months later, notifying her that her son, Henry, had been
wounded in action in July. The telegram read as follows:
  Received at Jesuit Bend, La., Dec. 3, 1918; Dated: Washington D.C.; 
To: Mrs. N. Barrois. Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially 
reported that Private Henry Barrois, Infantry, was wounded in action, 
degree undetermined, about July 16, further information when received. 
By Carris, Adjutant Gen.
  My father, Henry, didn't talk much about his war experiences, but 
years later be told me his company had taken up a defensive position 
against a German attack in the 2nd Battle of Aisne - Marne, France 
when he was hit in the left leg. He received temporary first-aid on 
the battle field, and later at an army field hospital behind the front 
lines. After convalescing in a hospital in France, he was sent back to 
the states and  received  an Honorable Discharge from the Army at Camp 
Beauregard, La. on February 1, 1919.
  Henry was awarded the Purple Heart for military merit and for wounds 
received in action against the Germans. Along with the Purple Heart, he 
was also awarded the Aisne Marne Defensive Sector Battle Medal the World 
War I  Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal for exemplary conduct in 
the service of his country.
  After the war, Henry married Martha Mae Bayhi and was the father of 
Margery Barrois Leonard, Joyce Barrois Naquin and Clyde Barrois. He 
completed 4 years of business college, worked for the U.S Corps of 
Engineers for 18 years and  later,  for  Freeport Sulphur's Engineering 
Dept. He died on August 18, 1951, still carrying some shrapnel in his 
left knee from his World War I wounds.
  Clyde J. Barrois