An important lesson in Laredo history unfolded Thursday when the Laredo Community College Board of Trustees, convening for a special meeting, unanimously approved naming the historical Fort McIntosh chapel on the main campus after the city’s highest decorated military figure.
LCC
trustees met in Laird Hall, room 124, to discuss and take possible action on
various issues listed on the college agenda, including an item recommending the
naming of an historical chapel after Private David B. Barkeley Cantu.
Two years ago, trustees conducted a public hearing on the naming of some college facilities. The LCC board has lone authority to name facilities at the college district with a recommendation from the program/policy committee.
Barkeley’s name came to light during the hearing, LCC President Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina said.
“Based on military records, the Laredo native is the first Hispanic in our country’s history and the only recipient from the Laredo area to have received the Medal of Honor for Bravery. Barkeley died during World War I on Nov. 9, 1918 while crossing the Meuse River in France,” Dovalina said. The war ended two days later.
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be best bestowed upon an individual serving in the armed services of the United States, Dovalina said.
Private Barkeley’s military accomplishment is apparently known in other parts of the state. One of the country’s largest military camps during World War II located south of Abilene and a San Antonio elementary school bear his name.
However, there is no known site locally named in honor of this Laredo son.
“Since LCC is required by the government deeds to maintain the chapel and this campus once served as a military fort during World War I, it would be appropriate to name the facility after this great American hero from Laredo,” Dovalina said.
The chapel was built in 1895 to serve as a multi-denominational house of worship at the fort.
According to information on the University of Texas “Handbook of Texas Online,” Private Barkeley received the citation after he, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation to swim the Meuse River and gather information on the enemy’s position on the opposite side of the river.
Barkeley succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, despite the enemy’s strong determination to prevent the crossing. Having obtained his information, the private again entered the water for his return, but before reaching his goal, was seized with cramps and drowned, according to the online handbook.
If trustees approve the chapel’s naming, it will be the second college facility to be named after an individual serving the armed forces. In 1972 when the gymnasium on the main campus was built, the college board named it after Cpl. Quintin Maravillo, the first Laredo college student to die in overseas military action when the Korean conflict erupted.
For more information, contact the LCC Marketing and Public Information Office at 721-5140.
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443