Today our walk was dedicated in honor of:
Navy Veteran Bob Barker, Age 99 of Hollywood Hills, CA.
Died Aug. 26, 2023
Alongside his long television career, Barker was a U.S. military veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy as an aviator during World War II.
Robert William Barker was born on Dec. 12, 1923. Before his service, Barker grew up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. His father was a quarter Sioux, and Barker was listed as and considered himself part Sioux. After the United States entered World War II, Barker enlisted in 1943. He chose to join the U.S. Navy because, by his own admission, he saw a photo of a naval aviator in full-dress whites and was impressed by the man’s appearance.
Upon receiving his final commission, Barker reported for Operational Training at the Naval Air Base in DeLand, Florida. In DeLand, he trained in the FM-2 Fighter, which included formation flying, night flying, and dog-fighting. Operational training also included gunnery flights, firing live ammunition at a sleeve towed by one of the pilots in flight and field carrier landings.
After his assignment in DeLand, Barker was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Air Station for carrier landing training on the USS Wolverine. He was one of those who received a grade of superior. He continued on to train at the Banana River Naval Air Station, expecting to be assigned to a carrier squadron. Instead, Barker was one of seven pilots responsible for flying over the beautiful Atlantic and making gunnery runs on US Navy Mariner aircraft to test their crew. His final assignment was F4U Corsairs flight training in Goose Isle, Michigan, just as WWII was coming to an end.
Barker once said, “I was a Naval Aviator, a Fighter Pilot. I completed all facets of my training, including my qualifying landings on a carrier. I was all ready to go, and when the enemy heard that I was headed for the Pacific, they surrendered. That was the end of World War II.”
Rest in Peace, Sir!
We had a great 5.32 Mile walk this morning. We walked up town to the War Memorial Park and read some names off of the Memorial Wall. We walked by the train Depot and then headed home. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved and saluted in helping us honor this hero. We had 153 honks today. Thank you.
Navy Veteran Bob Barker will not be forgotten !
