Pvt. Charles D. Barger: Possibly the most wounded U.S. soldier ever

10 Purple Hearts and Medal of Honor recipient

When Charles Barger joined the U.S. army in 1918 to be a machine gunner, no one knew a humble orphan farmhand would turn out to be a national hero. With the end of WW1 drawing to a close, Barger fought in several battles with grit and determination while keeping a positive and encouraging attitude for his fellow soldiers. Breathing mustard gas for an entire week under fire, his lungs were damaged but he stayed in combat. He then proceeded to run with a stretcher into machine gun fire into no mans land and rescue wounded men. THREE TIMES. For this he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was given 10 Purple Hearts for his wounds in combat. After the war, he worked as a policeman for a while until he got in a shootout and was shot 5 times including one in the head. He survived but later had a mental breakdown and tried to kill himself with a knife and set himself on fire. He died a short time later from his wounds at age 44. PTSD and multiple wounds would claim the life of this American hero who found a very hard life after coming home from the war.

The cost of freedom is high. Valor is in you. Set it free.