Our Dad, Roy Elmo Barrett, was born January 29, 1915 in Wilson, Oklahoma. He married Nola A. Staples on December 31, 1937. They had 2 sons, Ken Elmo Barrett, born January 20, 1941 and Terry Roy Barrett, born November 5, 1944.

Roy entered the United States Army on April 17, 1944 at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. On October 20, 1944, he was sent to replacement depot, and on October 29, 1944 left on the Queen Mary for England.

He was reported missing in action on November 16, 1944 in the battle of Hurtgen Forest. He had only arrived to the Hurtgen Forest the previous day, and was a part of replacements for the 4th Division, 12th Infantry. He was assigned to Company "L".

In April, 1947, a German woodcutter working in the area discovered his remains, along with those of three other American GIs. My Mother was notified at that time that my Dad had been killed on November 16, 1944.

I was 4 years old when my Dad was killed. My brother, Terry, was born only 11 days before our Dad was killed.

I have only two memories of my Dad. One was the day he left to go to boot camp, and the other was the day he left to go overseas. I wish that I had known him. I wish that we could have hunted and fished together. I wish he could have known his grandchildren and great grandchildren. However, as much as we all missed not having him throughout our lives, we know what he did was the right thing. We are very proud that he was willing to sacrifice his service and his life, so we can have the freedom we enjoy today.

Our Dad is buried in the Ardennes Military Cemetery, near Nueville in Condroz, Belgium. Both my brother Terry and I have visited his gravesite. It is a beautiful place and both times I have been to his grave were very special.

I was also fortunate enough to go to the Hurtgen Forest in 2000, and visit the site (based on a detailed map I found in his IDPF) where he was killed. I have never had a more moving moment, and yet at the same time a more proud moment as when I first stepped up to the area where his remains had been recovered.

Many who knew our Dad, have told us over the years what a tremendous person he was. Like many who fought and died in WW II so that we might have the freedoms we enjoy today, we love and appreciate our Dad for what he did.