James T. Barron

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Ronald Havelaar on September 23, 2024:

I was privileged to have been Colonel Barron's driver in 1968, Fort Bragg, IVIII Airborne Corp, 2nd Target Acquisition Battalion, 26th Artillery. I have many fond memories with Col. Barron while serving with him. He was firm about his Jeep and Driver. The Jeep had no top, rain or shine. Windshield folded down; and hot Coffee in the thermos; ponchos rolled and stashed in the seat. Drive "briskly" with purpose. One time we got caught in the rain; I forgot my poncho and he wouldn't use his if I didn't have one. We both got drenched, and laughed about it. He was a "soldier's soldier" and respected by all under his command. Being Col. Barron's driver, we developed a close professional relationship and shared many hours together. I was with him throughout the '69 riots in Baltimore. He truly cared about the soldiers he commanded. We would take the Jeep cruising in the middle of the night, picking up drunk soldiers who had snuck out of the camp. Colonel Barron would load the inebriated soldiers in the back of the Jeep and we drove them back to their bivouac area. They never realized it was the Battalion Commander loading them in and out of the Jeep. He was tough, firm and fair. My daughter was born shortly after we returned from the riots in Baltimore. Colonel Barron liked the name we gave our daughter and he asked if we mind if he used the name (Michelle Yvonne) for his daughter. A Green Beret Colonel asking permission from a lowly E4 - that was a shock, but showed the respect he had for his troops. The impact Colonel Barron had on me continues to this day. He has my upmost respect. I wish I could have told him how much he affected my life. We were trained to salute the rank - well Colonel Barron, I salute you - the man.

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