By Karen Lemon
Cherchel Edward Barker
Meet Our Honor Roll: Cherchel Edward Barker
Cherchel Edward Barker was born in Fillmore, Kentucky, on August 18, 1923, the son of Keen and Audry Combs Barker. He moved to the Rochester, Michigan, area with his older brother Hershel and took a job with General Motors.
In June 1942, Cherchel was inducted into the U.S. Army. He served as a combat medic in the 158th Infantry Battalion with Patton’s 3rd Army. Cherchel saw action on D-Day on Omaha Beach and fought through France, including the Battle of the Bulge, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. He was awarded the Bronze Star.
After the war, Cherchel continued his career in the automobile industry. He retired from General Motors after nearly 31 years of service.
Cherchel Edward Barker died at age 101 on March 19, 2025, at his home in South Carolina and was laid to rest in his native Fillmore, Kentucky.