First Lieutenant Lyman Eddy Barnes Jr. (May 1893 – October 19, 1918) was a dedicated military officer whose service during World War I exemplifies the commitment and sacrifices of American soldiers.

Early Life and Family Background

Born in Appleton, Outagamie County, Wisconsin, Lyman Eddy Barnes Jr. was the son of Lyman Eddy Barnes Sr., a distinguished lawyer and U.S. Congressman from Wisconsin, and Helen Byrd Conkey Barnes. The Barnes family later relocated to Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky. 

Military Service

Barnes enlisted in the Kentucky National Guard’s Company H, 1st Kentucky Infantry, on July 18, 1916 after serving four years on active duty with the U.S. Army. He transferred to Company C on November 15, 1916, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant, assigned to Company M, 2nd Battalion. His unit was federalized, likely to participate in the Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa along the southwest border.

With the U.S. entry into World War I, Barnes continued his service, eventually becoming a First Lieutenant in the 138th Field Artillery Regiment, part of the 38th Division. The 38th Division, known as the “Cyclone Division,” began deploying troops to France in September 1918, with boots on the ground by October. The division was primarily utilized as a replacement unit, with many officers and enlisted men reassigned to reinforce other American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) units engaged in frontline combat. Despite this redistribution, several regiments, including the 138th Field Artillery, remained intact and continued training operations behind the lines. 

Untimely Death and Legacy

Tragically, First Lieutenant Barnes contracted pneumonia and passed away in Le Havre, France, on October 19, 1918, shortly after his unit’s arrival. He was 25 years old. Barnes is interred at the Somme American Cemetery in Bony, France, in Plot B, Row 19, Grave 9. He is also commemorated with a cenotaph at Riverside Cemetery in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. In 1934, the Hopkinsville Women’s Club established Memorial Drive in Riverside Cemetery to honor 27 local men who died in World War I, including Barnes. 

Involvement in the Black Diamond Mines Incident

In August 1917, prior to his deployment overseas, Barnes was a witness for the U.S. Government in a significant legal proceeding involving nine union miners. These miners were charged with forcibly opposing U.S. laws and authority by allegedly firing upon soldiers stationed at the Black Diamond mines in Webster County, Kentucky. This incident underscores the complex challenges Barnes faced during his military service, reflecting the broader societal issues of the time.

Conclusion

First Lieutenant Lyman Eddy Barnes Jr.’s life was marked by dedication to duty and service to his country. His contributions, both domestically and abroad, serve as a testament to the sacrifices made by countless Kentuckians during World War I. His memory endures through the memorials that honor his name and the historical records that preserve his story.