Barker, Douglas Robin, SSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
Being born in 1951 to an English father, and Scottish American mother, I was embiued with a keen sense of pride in America as a member of the "Baby Boomer" generation of post-World War II fathers and mothers. My father was a distinguished and decorated bomber pilot in the

1st Lt. Douglas B. Barker; wearing RCAF Pilot Wings on USAAC Tunic

ETO, having first sought to join the RAF during 1939 after Britain declared war on Nazi Germany. Dad was living in New Jersey and the RAF declined his offer as enough volunteers living in the UK were meeting the needs of the Empire. He finally joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during November 1941, prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He became a "pilot officer" and flew 65 "Combat Missions" including nighttime raids on Nazi targets in Europe; flying with the RAF. During November 1943 he 'transferred' to the "higher paying" 9th USAAC, and fell in love with the B-26 Martin Marauder. He flew 40 more "Combat Missions" and participated in the first "All American" nighttime bombing raid in Europe; flying near at the forefront of the raid as a member of the 322nd BS, 449th BG (Medium). His unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for this action. My father, Douglas B.Barker, earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaves Cluster(s); and ended his tour with a total of completing 105 Combat Missions! His father, who was the best "Granddad" any child could have, was Bertie Barker, and he was a true and most kind English gentleman. Granddad had served in the Royal Navy during World War I as a Chief Petty Officer and the Electrical Articifer aboard the HMS Penelope. His ship was torpedoed during its wartime operations. This family legacy is what certainly led to my decision to serve my country, and having watched so many war documentaries with my father, and also the impressive "John Wayne type" of Hollywood movies of that era, I had my mind made up to only join the U.S. Marine Corps when it was time to pay for my blessed Freedoms and Citizenship.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Having served on active duty I was truly blessed to have met and served with exemplary Marines, some were WW II veterans. The senior Marines were just awesome leaders and some of the finest Americans I have ever had the honor of meeting, and working with.

After separating from active

As a Detective / Investigator with the SUNY PD at Stony Brook, NY

duty I returned to college and pursued studies in Criminal Justice and the law. I took numerous civil service tests for police agencies while studying, but I still longed for the Corps. I then applied and was accepted into the Marine Corps' PLC (Platoon Leader's Course) program whereby I was 'locked in' for an aviation option in choppers, as I did not want to deal with "G" forces in fixed wing jets, etc. However, while at St. John's University in my 3rd year of studies for a BS Degree, about two weeks before I was to depart to OCS, at MCB, Quantico, VA, for my 1st summer session of the PLC program, I received a letter offering me a law enforcement position with the State University Police. Knowing it was just a first step, my wife and I looked at all options and I chose the cop job as the Aviation career in the Corps would have had me be away from my family for a full year after every 3 years of duty. Well, that was then: May 1976. It is history.