Maj. Gen. George Barker

By Mike MaddoxSeptember 4, 2020

2020 Hall of Fame Inductee

Arkansas State University (1955)

Retired Maj. Gen. George E. Barker directs the laying of the wreath
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The laying of the wreath is directed by retired Maj. Gen. George E. Barker during the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony held at Fort Totten, N.Y., Sept. 13, 2015. The ceremony honored Lt. Col. William Polhman, Capt. Mark Whitford, Capt. Michael Mullan, Warrant Officer Ronald Bucca, Staff Sgt. Frederick Ill and Sgt. Shawn Powell, who all made the ultimate sacrifice while conducting rescue operations during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Nicole Paese/Released) (Photo Credit: Spc. Nicole Paese) VIEW ORIGINAL
Staff Sgt. Brian Calhoun, 77th Sustainment Brigade, explains the Virtual Interactive Combat Environment to retired Col. Edwin G. Logan, Malcom Schabe, retired Col. Louis H. Sudholz, Jr., retired Col. Ivan Cornielle, and retired Maj. Gen. George Barker during Operation Sustainment Warrior, Aug. 13, 2013, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. OSW is a training event hosted by the 77th Sustainment Brigade providing a well-planned and resourced training exercise that focuses on maintaining Warrior Skills and enhancing Individual Readiness for targeted soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Peter Jun/Released)
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Brian Calhoun, 77th Sustainment Brigade, explains the Virtual Interactive Combat Environment to retired Col. Edwin G. Logan, Malcom Schabe, retired Col. Louis H. Sudholz, Jr., retired Col. Ivan Cornielle, and retired Maj. Gen. George Barker during Operation Sustainment Warrior, Aug. 13, 2013, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. OSW is a training event hosted by the 77th Sustainment Brigade providing a well-planned and resourced training exercise that focuses on maintaining Warrior Skills and enhancing Individual Readiness for targeted soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Peter Jun/Released) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Peter Jun) VIEW ORIGINAL

Major General George Evans Barker was born in Michigan; however, he considers himself a native of Rector, Arkansas. He began his United States Army career through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Arkansas State University. He received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery in 1955.

Major General Barker’s assignments include serving as the commander of 7th Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, and later 5th Battalion, 5th Field Artillery. He was later assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel and Administration of the 77th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM). In September 1982, he became the Chief of Staff of the 77th, serving in that position until June 1983 when he was selected to command the 353rd Civil Affairs Command. He became a brigadier general in February 1984.

General Barker was selected to command the 77th ARCOM in December 1984 and was promoted to major general in August 1986. During this period, he also served as a member of the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee. Completing his command assignment, Major General Barker was appointed to the position of Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff Mobilization & Reserve Affairs in Washington, DC during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He served in this position until his retirement Aug. 15, 1991, concluding 36 years of service.

Throughout his career, he received many awards and decorations: the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 20-year device.

Currently, he serves as a trustee of the Colonel John Warren Pershing Estate and Foundation, a trustee of the Army War College Foundation at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet at Arkansas State University. He is also a founding member of Arkansas State University’s Beck PRIDE Center and is a co-founder of the Helping Hands Foundation in his hometown of Rector, Arkansas. He is currently spearheading a project in Rector to build a Veterans Memorial Park honoring all who have served their country in the U.S. Armed Forces.

About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame

The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.

The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.

Read more about all 16 of the 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees.