A Tribute:  Isiah "Champ" Barnes, Jr.

 

The following information is taken from the "Find A Grave" web site, and was compiled and added to the site by Tom Reese, who has collected information on those individuals from North Carolina who died in Vietnam.

3 February 1969

Corporal Isiah "Champ" Barnes, Jr.

Birth:     Mar. 17, 1947, Fremont, Wayne County, North Carolina, USA

Death:   Feb. 3, 1969, Hua Nghia, Vietnam


Cpl Isiah Barnes Jr, Vietnam Veteran, born in Fremont, NC, he became a native of Middlesex, North Carolina.

Cpl Isiah Barnes Jr was a member of the Army.  CPL Barnes served our country until February 3rd, 1969 in Hua Nghia, South Vietnam.  He was 21 years old and was not married.  It was reported that Isiah died from small arms fire or grenade.  His body was recovered.  Cpl Barnes was born in Fremont, NC on 17 March 1947.  CPL Barnes is on panel 33W, line 046 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.  He served our country for less than a year.

PFC Isiah Barnes Jr, the Son of Isiah Barnes Sr and his Mother Estelle Barnes was born in Fremont, NC, and graduated from Richard B Harrison High School, June 7, 1868, while living with his Mother and other younger brothers and sisters in Middlesex, NC.  Isiah was drafted by the US Army in July, 1968, and was killed in action after six weeks in South Vietnam.

During his years of high school training, he received several awards.  Among the awards he received were two for "Meritorious Driving" and "Safety Awards". These honors distinguished Isiah's thoughtfulness and concern for others as well as members of his family.  The trophy he received was evidence of his fair play in Sports.  But most of all, Isiah was a believer in one Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Isiah's faith in God was never ending and his dream to accomplish a definite goal in life was never ceasing no matter how dark the nights, how bright the days might be.  His love for his "Mother" and others in his family was profound, moreover his faith in God was never yielding.  Isiah accepted the will of God and carried the cross whenever commanded.  Therefore, we glory in his tribute to the Almighty God.

Early in 1969, Isiah decided to complete his book of Memoirs, and in it he put many of his reports and awards, but most important of all in this precious book of memoirs he placed pictures of his Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Brothers, Relative and Friends.  Yet, he realized that a place was left in his precious book and he decided to place a picture of Jesus Christ there and not his own.  Beneath this picture of Jesus Christ these words are inscribed, "My Place I give unto You".  Isiah gave this book to his Mother to let her know regardless of his destiny his place will be filled by God.

Isiah's hopes and aspirations were to someday become an architect, had he returned from Vietnam.  His many awards in this field were just some of the ways the faculty showed their faith in Isiah's dreams.  He wanted to live a long life, he didn't want to leave this beautiful country of ours.  Isiah knew his life might be sacrificed, but nevertheless, he asked God to go with him and guide him while he fought the battle in South Vietnam.  For only God knew what fate his would be, he wrote words of love, words of cheer, words of home and joy to an end he knew not.  Yet, whatever the will of God might be, he would obey.

Antonio Barnes wrote:  My uncle which I'm his sisters son was raising me as if I was his son.  I was born in 1964 and can remember him well.  Isiah was the 7th born of 14 children and was given a nickname "CHAMP" after helping one of his cousins during a softball game recover from a seizure.  With that being said, I didn't know his name was Isiah until the funeral.  Champ was awarded the Bronze Star and a host of other medals.

He is the Son of Mr Isiah Barnes Sr and Mrs Estella Barnes, Middlesex, NC.

He served with Charlie Company, 14th Infantry Regiment, "Golden Dragons", 25th Infantry Division, "Tropic Lightning", USARV.

He was awarded The Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB), The Bronze Star Medal, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

 

2/14th First Person Accounts:  A Tribute:  Isiah "Champ" Barnes, Jr.
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Last modified: May 19, 2011