Taylor County, TX - History - Camp Barkeley Named for Texas Hero **************************************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************************************** Abilene Reporter News Saturday, January 11, 1941 Camp is Named for Texas Hero Its Barkeley, not Barkley. The Abilene army camp has been named Camp Barkeley in honor of a Texas boy who served as a private in France in the World war and died heroically three days before the Armistice. Major Richard E. Froiseth, constructing quartermaster, was notified Friday by the war department that the camp had been named Camp Barley, or Barkeley, - at least that was the pronunciation Ð but was given no information about the reason for that particular name. Senator Alben Barkley of Kentucky, administration leader in the upper house of congress came to the mind of many, but last night the Associated Press Washington bureau cleared it up. David B. Barkeley, a native of Laredo, enlisted in the army at Fort Sam Houston and died in action 8 November 1918. Private Barkeley was posthumously awarded the medal of honor and the Italian cross of military valor. His mother, Mrs. Antonio Barkeley was presented the medal and citation which read: ÒWhen information was desired as to the enemyÕs position on the opposite side of the River Meuse, Private Barkeley with another soldier volunteers without hesitation swam the river to reconnoiter the exact location. He succeeded in reaching the opposite bank despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing. Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return, but before his goal was reached he was seized with the cramps and drowned.Ó Barkeley served with the 356th infantry, 89th division, a draft division from Missouri and Kansas. His unit was participating in the Meuse-Argonne offensive at the time of his heroic act. This major battle began 3 October 1918 and was continuing when the armistice was signed.