Barney King Neal Jr.
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Barney King Neal Jr. was born in Atlanta, GA, on 4 July 1928, to Barney King and Doris Crawford Neal.
Neal graduated from Oklahoma A&M College in 1950. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry on 17 July 1950 with DOR back to 15 June 1950. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 27 April 1951 and to Captain on 16 August 1954. Neal graduated from the Infantry School Officers Advanced Course in 1956.
He was promoted to Major on 26 March 1965. As Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, on 6 August 1966 Major Neal led the 1/12 ashore at Qui Nhon from the USNS General Walker, as the 4th Infantry Division landed in Vietnam. The 1/12 Infantry and the 1/22 Infantry sailed to Vietnam together on the Walker. Neal was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 13 May 1968.
On 11 September 1970, Lieutenant Colonel Barney King Neal, Jr., was Commander, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, in Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam. He had only commanded 1st Battalion for a short period of time.
On that day, LTC Neal was killed when the helicopter in which he was flying as a passenger crashed due to an engine failure. His body was recovered on 14 September 1970.
Badge and Medals
Combat Infantryman Badge with One Star (Second Award)
Bronze Star Medal (Merit - 2 Awards)
Purple Heart
Air Medal (2 Awards)
Army Commendation Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Honors
The name Barney K Neal Jr is located on Panel W7 Line 56 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
Death and Burial
Lieutenant Colonel Barney King Neal, Jr., died on 11 September 1970 and is buried at Resthaven Gardens Cemetery in Oklahoma City, OK.