Date of Award: December 31, 1919
Conflict: World War I
Branch: U.S. Army

Pfc. Charles Barger of Missouri served in the U.S. Army, Company L, 354th Infantry, 89th Division during World War I. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his fearless actions near Bois-deBantheville, France, where he, and another soldier ventured into harsh terrain in order to save two stranded and injured officers. Barger’s actions were highly praised due his fearless entrance into “No Man’s Land,” which was the ground between the two opposing trenches that contained a considerable amount of barbed wire, and easily exposed its inhabitants to sniper bullets and enemy explosives.

Citation: “Learning that two daylight patrols had been caught out in No Man's Land and were unable to return, Pfc. Barger and another stretcher bearer upon their own initiative made two trips 500 yards beyond our lines, under constant machinegun fire, and rescued two wounded officers.”