"I don't know how I survived unless it was an act of God," former POW Jay Barber of Essex, Mo., said. "Just like the others that survived, I ate the food they gave me and did what they told me to do."
Recognized for his service and bravery, Barber was the honoree at a National POW/MIA Recognition ceremony held at the American Legion Post 153 Friday, Sept. 15. The event was hosted by the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.
At 19 years old, Barber joined the U.S. Army and became a combat infantryman. He was sent to Korea in 1950 and just a couple months into his deployment, Barber's life would change forever.
Retired Staff Sergeant Barber, now 86 years old, was a part of the Second Infantry Division, which went down in history as suffering the most casualties at a battle in Kunu-ri on Nov. 30, 1950.
Making his way through the battle, the very next day Barber was captured and would become a POW for the next 999 days.
"I was baptized while I was held captivate," Barber said. "The POW's would baptize each another by pouring water on our heads."
Barber said he was not captured with anyone he knew. He made friends with the other POWs where he was held.
After first being captured, Barber was taken to a Chinese farmer's hut and would move to three other locations while in captivity. He was taken to a mining camp named "Death Valley," then to Camp Five and finally to Camp Three.
Barber recalled being given a handful of corn twice a day, which was practically right off the cob.
"There was a great number of POW starvation," Barber said. "I was a part of the detail that carried 25 to 30 people a day off to be buried."
Three years later, Barber was finally released on Aug. 25, 1953, from being a POW by the Chinese.
Initially only enlisting for three years, Barber said he went on to re-enlist even after being a POW and served in the Vietnam War.
In July 1966, Barber was shot in the shoulder and earned a Purple Heart.
"I believe the bullet hit something else and slowed it down or it would have killed me," Barber said.
He added he asked the surgeon if he could have the bullet once removed. Barber still has the bullet.
The third Friday in September is designated as POW/MIA Recognition Day to honor those who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.
"We can not imagine what prisoners of war have endured," Interim Associate Medical Center Director for the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center Kristy Williams said. "But we can honor them for answering the nation's call for a better way of life."
In a special presentation, Barber was presented with a wooden POW remembrance item, which was handmade by Donna Moore.
Moore, a veteran herself, said she free-handed the drawing then burned the design in the wood. The wood was then sealed and varnished by her husband.
The ceremony concluded with the POW/MIA Table Ceremony. An empty table is set with chairs representing Americans still missing from each of the five services: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Each item on the table represents a special meaning. The table is round to show everlasting concern for the missing; the tablecloth is white for the purity of the motives when answering the call to duty; a single red rose reminds of the life of each of the missing and the loved ones who keep the faith; the vase tied with a red ribbon for the continued determination to account for the missing; a slice of lemon to remind of the bitter fate of those captured and missing; a pinch of salt to symbolize the tears endured by those missing and their families; a Bible to represent the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country; inverted glasses to symbolize the inability to share a toast; and empty chairs to represent the missing.
"We will never forget our POWs and MIAs," SFC USA retired Gary Kitchen, who narrated the ceremony said.
Thankful to have been in attendance, Barber said he really enjoyed the ceremony and being able to speak to the group, but did have one regret.
"I'm sorry about one thing," Barber said. "I'm the only POW here today."