David Barkley Cantu, born March 31, 1899 in Laredo, Texas, enlisted in the Texas National Guard in 1917, and entered the US Army in April of that year. He enlisted under his father's name of Barkley for fear of discrimination. At the time, Hispanics were segregated to serve in non-combat units, but Congress passed an act to allow Hispanics to fight in May 1917.
He was assigned to the 155th Infantry in August 1918 and sent to France in WWI. Later he was assigned to Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division. Just before the Armistice, he volunteered to swim across the Meuse River, behind German lines in France to gather information about the enemy. He and a sergeant managed to get the information, but Barkley drowned as he swam back across the river.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his bravery.
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