| Memorial Corner O'Fallon, Illinois |
| May 2006 |
| Bruce Michael Barnes SP4-E4 United States Army 1948-1969 Vietnam |
| Bruce Michael Barnes was born September 2, 1948 at Mitchell Field, New York, the son of Mr. & Mrs. William C. Barnes. His family would move to O’Fallon and live at 405 S. Augusta—his father was a civil service employee. Bruce attended O’Fallon Township High School, graduating with the Class of 1966. For a time he worked at Laclede Steel but was drafted into the Army through selective service during the Vietnam War. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, he received further training at Camp Polk, Louisiana. His tour of duty began on April 17, 1969 as a helicopter gunner with the First Air Cavalry. About a month after arriving in Vietnam, he was hit by hostile small arms ground fire in Tay Ninh, South Vietnam. He died of his wounds on August 12, 1969. Bruce’s remains were recovered and he was buried with full military honors on August 25, 1969 at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights. He was survived by his parents, a grandmother and a brother, Gary. His name is on the Vietnam Wall. He gave his life that we might live free! Memorial Corner Flag Raising 6 May 2006 sponsored by O'Fallon Woman's Club biography and photo courtesy O’Fallon Historical Society |
