THE WALL OF FACES

I still think of you, Carl. Thank you.

Carl Barnhart lived most of his life in Minnesota. He was born on May 26, 1949 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The family moved to Shakopee, Minnesota around 1957. Carl attended schools at Saint John's Lutheran Day School in Chaska, the Shakopee public schools and Mayer Lutheran in Mayer, all in Minnesota. He also played basketball in the Shakopee public schools. The family moved to East Peoria, Illinois where Carl enlisted in the US Army on December 9, 1966. Carl's family moved back to Minnesota after about one year in Illinois and came to reside in the Detroit Lakes area. Carl took training at Fort Benning, Georgia and was assigned to the 173rd Airborne, 503rd Regiment, 2nd Battalion. He served in Vietnam starting on August 7, 1967 and lost his life on November 25, 1967. Carl left behind his parents and a sister and brother.
There are two school pictures for Carl. The first is Carl in a shirt and sweater as an underclassman at Mayer Lutheran. The information leading up to this picture came from Carl's Father and Brother, and a Mayer Lutheran High School classmate Doug Obert. The picture actually came from Paulette Jopp of the Mayer Lutheran High School Staff. Paulette was a classmate of Carl at Mayer Lutheran.
The picture with Carl in a tie came from Tony Menden, a classmate in Shakopee who was a basketball teammate of Carl. The picture likely came from Carl's freshman year at Shakopee Junior High School.
Carl is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Dear PFC Carl Ray Barnhart, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

My grandfather had spoken of you when he did his tours in Vietnam. I am sorry we never met, but I am proud of you.

We went to high school together and both joined the army the summer of 1966. You went to Viet Nam in 1967 and I went in 1968. I have held your memory for 42 years now. You died so young. I wish things could have been different.