Scarlet Fields: The Combat Memoir of a World War I Medal of Honor Hero

A reconnaissance man and sniper, John Lewis Barkley served in Company K of the 4th Infantry Regiment, a unit that participated in almost every major American battle. The York-like episode that earned Barkley his Congressional Medal of Honor occurred on October 7, 1918, when he climbed into an abandoned French tank and singlehandedly held off an advancing German force, killing hundreds of enemy soldiers. But Barkley's memoir abounds with other memorable moments and vignettes, all in the words of a soldier who witnessed war's dangers and degradations but was not at all fazed by them. Unlike other writers identified with the Lost Generation, he relished combat and made no apology for having dispatched scores of enemy soldiers; yet he was as much an innocent abroad as a killing machine, as witnessed by second thoughts over his sniper's role, or by his determination to protect a youthful German prisoner from American soldiers eager for retribution. This Missouri backwoodsman and sharpshooter was also a bit of a troublemaker who smuggled liquor into camp, avoided promotions like the plague, and had a soft heart for mademoiselles and fräuleins alike.

About the Author :
John Lewis Barkley was given the title of the most decorated soldier in the midwest. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on October 7, 1918 for single handily breaking up two German assaults on hill 253 that Allied forces were trying to hold. He also fixed a captured German machine gun, mounted it on a French tank, waited for the battle to surround him, and then opened fire on the Germans. Five minutes later a German with a 77 millimeter gun opened fire on his tank striking the steering wheel. He remained at his post and when the firing stopped broke a second counter attack enabling the Allied forces to gain the hill. He was cited for bravery and was presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor by U.S. General John Pershing. Barkley was a Private, First Class, U.S. Army, Company K, fourth infantry, third division. He was in World War I and received the nation's highest military award for bravery. He was also a member of the Kansas City police department as a detective. Bob Souer is a full-time professional storyteller, voice actor, and AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrator. He has narrated broadcast and nonbroadcast projects for corporations and ministries across North America. His voice has been heard on PBS, the History Channel, the Military Channel, and many other networks. He has also narrated radio and television programs for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, D. James Kennedy Ministries, SIM, and Compassion International.

Review :
Barkley was one of the war's outstanding heroes and his memoir is one of the most readable and detailed accounts of an American soldier's experiences to emerge from it.-- "Edward M. Coffman, author of The War to End All Wars" "Barkley was one of the war's outstanding heroes, and his memoir is one of the most readable and detailed accounts of an American soldier's experiences to emerge from it." -- "Edward M. Coffman, author of The War to End All Wars"