Colonel Bill Barber
American Legion Post 838
District 29, Irvine, California

Air Force veteran Bob Tate, left, and American Legion Post 838 Commander, Chrystal Swope salute during Irvine’s Veteran’s Day Ceremony

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.

Join Us

The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

Our meetings are held every 1st Monday of the month at 7:00pm at:

Knowlwood Restaurant
14952 Sand Canyon Avenue
Irvine, CA 92618

JOIN THE LEGION

If you’re an eligible veteran or American Legion member-at-large and would like to join our post, please contact us at commander@al838.org. Thank you for visiting The American Legion Post 838, we look forward to serving you.

Colonel Bill Barber USMC

Col. William Earl Barber USMC 1919 – 2002

William Earl Barber (November 30, 1919 – April 19, 2002) was a United States Marine Corps Colonel. He fought on Iwo Jima during World War II and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.

[Then] Captain Barber and his company of 220 men held off more than 1,400 People’s Republic of China soldiers during six days of fighting in North Korea.

Despite the extreme cold weather conditions and a bullet wound to the leg, Barber refused evacuation and an order for his company to withdraw from their mountain pass defensive position which was surrounded.

Barber, aware that leaving would cause 8,000 Marines of his division to be trapped in North Korea, held on to the position with his men, killing over 1,000 enemy troops; only 82 of his men were able to walk away after eventually being relieved.