The late Major General Harold R. Barker whose distinguished thirty-three year military career that spanned service under the famed General John Pershing in the battle with Mexican Revolutionary leader Poncho Villa, and through both World Wars. A native Rhode Islander who settled in Pascoag during his retirement years, he was a highly decorated U.S. Army Officer who was considered one of the world’s finest artillery experts. He was honored with the Rhode Island Cross, and worked as a very successful manufacturing executive and banker.