WWII vet, TV game show legend Bob Barker dies, aged 99
Sad news today that we’ve lost another of the Greatest Generation. Bob Barker, beloved host of The Price is Right for 35 years, has died at age 99.
Before his illustrious career in television (that also led to a hilarious self-deprecating cameo in Happy Gilmore), Barker was a US Naval Aviator. As with most men of his generation, he was called to serve during WWII. He was trained as a fighter pilot, earning his carrier qualification on the Great Lakes carrier USS Wolverine (IX-64). He rose to the rank of lieutenant, junior grade, and was fully trained in 1945, flying the venerable F4U Corsair. Destined for a role in the Pacific Theater, as Barker told it, “I was a Naval Aviator, a Fighter Pilot. I completed all facets of my training, including my qualifying landings on a carrier. I was all ready to go, and when the enemy heard that I was headed for the Pacific, they surrendered. That was the end of World War II.”
He married his longtime wife before leaving the service, and apparently never flew an aircraft again. After college he went into broadcasting, hosting Truth or Consequences before TPIR. His military awards include the American Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal. His professional awards include 37 Daytime Emmy awards, Time Magazine’s Greatest Game Show Host of All-Time, and several Lifetime Achievement awards.
Godspeed, Lieutenant Barker. I’m imagining a heartfelt reunion with his longtime announcer and friend Rod Roddy calling him to the Pearly Gates with, “Bob Barker, come on down!”
Category: Breaking News, Veterans in the news
From spinning propellers to a spinning wheel.
Now flying high into heaven.
RIP Mr Barker
We also lost a Marine Corps pilot last night and an F-18 Hornet. Details are scarce but it appears he ejected but was killed anyway.
The price of freedom is never free. Seldom those lost in training or during peace time get recognition of those who fall during battle. Service is service, and paying the ultimate sacrifice is ALWAYS heroic. God bless this heroic Marine, and please comfort those left behind. To you young Devil Dog, I give solemn salute as Taps as played…
Hand salute.
Ready.
Two.
A kid who graduated from my mainstay high school during my recruiting years died in a Marine helicopter crash in 2018. His mother was a teacher at the school and a Facebook friend, and it was heart-wrenching for anyone who knew him.
We train for battle, and expect that if we die in uniform it will be in battle. Sadly, many more Service Members die in training or off-duty accidents, and outside of their hometown and the local community where they were stationed, their service is known to few.
This is bad. Whose gonna remind us to spay or neuter our liberals?
Rest In Peace, LTJG Robert William Barker:
https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=AssignmentExt&ID=1340684
https://taskandpurpose.com/culture/bob-barker-navy-veteran/
DUTY STATIONS:
NAVAL AIR TRAINING BASE, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
NAVAL AIR STATION DELAND, FL
NAVAL AIR STATION, GLENVIEW, IL
NAVAL AIR STATION, BANANA RIVER, FL
NAVAL AIR STATION, NORFOLK, VA
BOMBING FIGHTER SQUADRON 97
NAVAL PERSONNEL SEPARATION CENTER, GREAT LAKES, IL
SIGNIFICANT AWARDS:
AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL
https://navylog.navymemorial.org/barker-bob-0
The Greatest Generation will soon be gone. We’re at the point where very few people who went on to become famous are still around, and where those few WWII Vets among us are celebrated and hailed for their service over 78 years ago.
To put it in perspective, 78 years ago today a young LTJG Barker was a fully trained Naval Aviator, likely having mixed emotions about the announced surrender of Japan while waiting for the formal signing in a week.
He was entertaining and seemed like a personable and very likeable person, unlike so many of today’s celebs. Growing up, my grandmother would have the kitchen TV on while making lunch, with the Price is Right coming across in full 12″ black & white glory. I still have that old TV in the garage…
Had to send the news to my eldest daughter. One of her earliest, and fondest, childhood memories is watching TPIR while cuddling with her grandpa in his easy chair.
Mason wrote:
“that also led to a hilarious self-deprecating cameo in Happy Gilmore)…”
😆👍👍👍
https://youtu.be/6CajdyoaSM0?feature=shared
He did his own stunts in Happy Gilmore, as he was a student at Chuck Norris’ dojo.
Fair winds and following seas.
Rest in peace Mr. Barker. You gave me a lot of laughs.
Godspeed, Fare Well, and Rest Easy, Good Sir. May your last landing be soft, surrounded by fur babies and leggy ladies.
Thank you, LT (JG) Barker, for ending WWII. You saved my Uncle Jim’s life.
Rest in Peace sir.
It’s an extreme shame to be losing the “old celebrities” that loved and served this great country. God knows the newer ones won’t/aren’t!
Except for a very few.
Ironically, Bob won the ultimate game. He got closest to 100 without going over.
RIP and thank you for your service, sir.