Private George Howell Barnes was born on October 12, 1899, in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, to William Bernard Barnes and Florence Eleanor Schrodt Barnes. He had two sisters and one brother. At the age of 18, on April 26, 1917, he enlisted in the military, joining Company F of the First Kentucky Infantry. Following a reorganization on May 12, 1918, he was assigned to Battery E of the 138th Field Artillery.

The 138th Field Artillery, originally constituted as the Louisville Legion in 1839, has a storied history within the Kentucky National Guard. During World War I, the First Kentucky Infantry was reorganized into the 138th Field Artillery, reflecting the unit’s adaptation to modern warfare needs. 

Private Barnes embarked for overseas service from New York on June 12, 1918, aboard the USS Plattsburg. He served in France from June 12, 1918, until his death on October 23, 1918. During his service, he participated in significant engagements, including the Battle of Château-Thierry and the St. Mihiel Offensive. These battles were crucial in halting German advances and pushing enemy lines back, with the St. Mihiel Offensive marking the first major offensive led solely by American forces.

Tragically, Private Barnes was wounded in action in September during the St. Mihiel Offensive and succumbed to his injuries on October 23, 1918, in France. He was interred at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Lorraine, France. This cemetery is the final resting place for many American soldiers who fought in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest U.S. military engagement of World War I.

At the time of his death, Private Barnes was serving with the Headquarters Company of the 146th Field Artillery Regiment, part of the 41st Division. His mother, Mrs. Florence L. Barnes, received a telegram notifying her of her son’s passing. A local newspaper reported: “Corp. George H. Barnes, Headquarters Company, 146th Infantry, died of wounds received in action in France on October 23.” Despite the rank of corporal mentioned in the report, official records list his rank as private at the time of his death.

Private Barnes’s service and sacrifice are commemorated on the Kentucky National Guard Memorial, ensuring that his contributions are remembered by future generations.

His dedication and bravery exemplify the commitment of countless young soldiers who served during World War I, leaving a lasting legacy of honor and valor.