WW II Veteran Thomas McClellan “Mac” Barrick, Col., US Army, Retired Colonel Thomas McClellan, “Mac,” Barrick’s incandescent spirit shone brightly until the very last of his life. He died April 7, 2008 after a long and valiant struggle with prostate cancer. He was both a much-decorated military leader and a community activist. He is survived by his wife, Jean Thompson Barrick, daughter Carol Barrick, son Thomas McClellan Barrick, Jr., three grandchildren, Cristina and Catherine Murillo-Barrick and Braeden McClellan Barrick, and one brother, Richard Barrick. Colonel Barrick’s military career spanned three wars-World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He received numerous decorations: Combat Infantry Badge; two Legions of Merit, Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal, as well as decorations from the Belgian (Fourragere), Iranian, and Vietnamese governments. He was Ranger, Airborne, and Mountaineer qualified and an outstanding marksman with many medals and trophies in both rifle and pistol. He served overseas in Germany, Japan, Iran, and Vietnam. He attended New Mexico A & M, and The Citadel, from which he enlisted into the Army in 1942. After recovering from wounds inflicted in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium in 1944 as a member of the ill-fated 106th Inf. Div., 424th Regt., I Company., Colonel Barrick was sent to Officers Candidate School at Fontainebleau, France where he graduated first in his class. He was integrated into the Regular Army upon completing a Competitive Tour in1948. From 1953-56 in Japan, he served as Mountaineering and Winter Warfare Instructor, IX Corp Mountain Training School. Later he was Company Commander, Battalion XO (Executive Officer), S3 (Operations Officer) and Asst. Regimental S3 with 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He then commanded the 5/6 Inf. Bn., at Ft. Hood, TX. From 1958-59 in Iran, he was Advisor to the Imperial Guard, and 4th Training Regiment of the Imperial Iranian Army. While still in the Army he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota in 1962 on the “bootstrap” program. He also graduated from the Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth. His work on a Master’s degree with the University of Oklahoma was interrupted by a tour of duty in Vietnam. He retired, after 33 years of service to his country from the Military District of Washington where he served as Inspector General. After his retirement in 1976, he and Jean moved to Saratoga. He worked as a real estate appraiser, member of the Board of Trustees of Saratoga Federated Church, and founding Board Member of Kids are Special, from whom he received special recognition in 1989 and 1995. For over twenty years he organized a Men’s Retreat at Asilomar. He was an avid golfer and skier. In 2000 Mac and Jean spearheaded a campaign with local citizens to save the Heritage Orchard in Saratoga. In 2005 they moved to the Los Gatos Meadows, 110 Wood Rd, where a memorial service will take place at 2pm Monday, April 14th. He will be sorely missed as a gentleman, patriot, man of peace, and friend to many. Favorite charities: Kids are Special / Celebrating Families, 15040 Encina Court / Saratoga, CA 95070 and Hospice of the Valley, 4850 Union Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. Published in the San Jose Mercury News from 4/11/2008 – 4/12/2008. Tags: 1945
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