David G. Barr
David Goodwin Barr was a US Army major general who took part in World War I, World War II, the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War. Barr thought poorly of the Republic of China and often came into conflict with Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek. He was a general in the Korean War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. He led the 7th Infantry Division and was defeated by Chinese Communist troops in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Later, he was removed from his post by Matthew Ridgway. Following the war, he was appointed the commandant of United States Army Armor School.
Biography
Barr was born in Nanafalia, Alabama on June 16, 1895. He attended Alabama Presbyterian College for three years before leaving to enlist in the United States Army Reserve during World War I. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry in the organized reserve corps on November 27, 1917 and immediately called to active duty in the 1st Infantry Division. Barr earned the Silver Star while serving in France. On September 15, 1920, he accepted a commission in the regular army.Barr graduated from the Army Infantry School in 1921, the Army Tank School in 1924 and the French Tank School near Versailles in 1927, having been assigned to the office of the military attaché in Paris from 1926 to 1927. Returning to the United States, he graduated from the United States [Army Command and General Staff College|Command and General Staff School] in June 1936 and the Army War College in June 1939.
Barr was promoted to brigadier general in June 1942 and major general in February 1944. He received the Legion of Merit and two awards of the Distinguished [Service Medal |Army Distinguished Service Medal] while serving as a headquarters staff officer during World War II. Barr was also made a commander of the Legion of Honour by France.
In 1948, Barr became chief of the Army Advisory Group in China. In January 1949, he warned Secretary of Defense James Forrestal that U.S. arms shipments to Chiang's troops in China were being intercepted by the Communist forces. In April 1949, Barr gave secret testimony before the United States [House Committee on Foreign Affairs|House Foreign Affairs Committee] which predicted the imminent victory of the Chinese Communist forces under Mao Tse-tung. In May 1949, he assumed command of the 7th Infantry Division in Japan.
In addition to the Distinguished Service Cross, his combat service during the Korean War earned him a third award of the Distinguished Service Medal, a second award of the Silver Star, a Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals.
Barr retired from active duty on February 29, 1952.
Family and later life
On November 5, 1924, Barr married Vivian Louise Bell. They had two daughters, Virginia Lane and Patricia Bell.Both daughters married army officers. Patricia Barr Crowe earned a Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology at George Washington University while raising five children. In all, David and Louise Barr had eleven grandchildren.
After retirement, Barr lived with his wife in Arlington County, Virginia. He died at a nursing home in Falls Church, Virginia on September 26, 1970. David and Louise Barr are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.