PFC Alex W. Barber
5th Ranger Battalion
(Darby’s Rangers)

June 6, 1944. D-Day. Here was a man on a mission in a maze of gunfire. There on the battlefield of Normandy Beach, as a member of Darby’s Rangers, he met his destiny. Landing as one of the first waves of soldiers, his actions over the course of just several hours would forever mold him into the man he would become. Those moments as a medic on the war-torn beaches, using his body as a shield to save the lives of his fellow soldiers, became history. A chronicle of that which books* are written and movies are made.

Stories of his bravery became legendary. He miraculously saved one soldier’s life by performing a tracheotomy with a mere ball point pen. For a group of his fellow countrymen, he communicated despite a language barrier and a time constraint, asking permission to borrow a horse and buggy from a French countryman to move and care for the wounded. He was the first medic to transport wounded from beaches. He was the first Army Ranger medic to enter Buchenwald Concentration Camp to administer first aid. And, while administering care, enemy gunfire invaded his body. Shrapnel remained lodged in his head and leg for his entire life. His actions left a lasting impression. He would be remembered and honored. He came home a hero. He is one of our country’s most decorated heroes, holding our nation’s second highest military medal, The Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster.

His life went on. He moved back home to Pennsylvania where he was born 20 years earlier on 22 February 1924 to Joseph and Catherine. Catherine had died when Alex was just 16 years of age, sometime after giving birth to her other son, who also died, as a newborn. Alex’s sister Rose Marie was the only remaining sibling. There, brilliant and ahead of his time, our father attended George Washington and Johns Hopkins Universities as well as the University of Pennsylvania. Then, instead of continuing onward, following his uncle’s footsteps to be a surgeon in both Illinois and then in California, as both men had done previously in the war, dad took another path. He became a pioneer, blazing a trail in the field of Chiropractic, which was on the cutting edge of a holistic form.

Gifted with healing hands, he performed medical marvels. His bedside manner was of gentleness, extraordinary compassion and comfort. Canes decorated his office wall attesting to the success of the patients whom he helped walk. Especially, when some medical doctors said that these same patients would never do so.

As his oldest child, seeing his “gift of healing” time and time again, made a significant impact on my life. Dad patiently worked with his patients giving them dignity, hope and life. In some cases, people would literally walk again. In other cases, the patient’s pain would go away, never to return. It was amazing to see. He inspired me with his health care long before it became the catch-all phrase that it is today.

At that time, Chiropractic was in its infancy, as it began to build the trust and respect of doctors and patients. Financially, there were many setbacks, so much that we- a family – of seven- lived on next to nothing. He sacrificed in so many ways to help make his profession acceptable in the minds of many. He gave of himself to his profession and the community.

He showed us by example how to give back to society, most importantly the local community. He became a life member of the DAV and VFW and an active member of various civic and service groups. Dad brought joy to so many lives- from the poor and downtrodden to just the average person. Jolly and full of spirit, he was famous for dressing as Santa going door-to door.

Day-to-day, Dad gave us an appreciation of the “finer things” in life: pleasant people, great conversation, and good food (His famous words, “Buon Appetite!” as he taught us to cook and live to eat classic Italian pasta with Bolognese sauce, olives, grapes, salads, fruits, and sweets of all sorts especially, red licorice and chocolate.

Among all of his accomplishments: his greatest one: simply being a father to my brothers, sisters and me. Now, my relationship with my father is on another level. Deceased since 1986, he is an ever-present part of my life. More than ever, I admire and thank him for the man that he was. He gave us priceless gifts: morals and values and smiles. His inspiration and passion to help people left a lasting impression on us… his example helped prepare us in this generation to prepare the next…