The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial proudly displays the legacies of more than 6,500 living and deceased veterans. On Saturday, Major Robert L. Barto joined the wall of heroes in recognition of his 30 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, including his service during World War Two.
Dozens of Major Barto’s friends and family came to the ceremony where a plaque was unveiled in his honor, including his granddaughter, Becca Pollard.
“There’s so much history of our country and having him be such a huge part of that is really special,” said Pollard.
Major Barto has garnered multiple accolades during his decades of service. That includes a long list of citations, awards, and medals that have been memorialized on the Mt. Soledad archives.
According to his family, Major Barto began active service on November 12, 1943. During training, he attended Air Liaison School on Coronado Island, Aviation Radio School in Jacksonville, Florida and he was certified as a “rifle sharpshooter” in weapons qualifications.
After training, he was stationed in Hawaii from September 1944 to January of 1945. His unit, part of the 5th Marine Division, was deployed, and landed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945.
“He went to Iwo Jima, he was part of that 5-week siege,” said Pollard. “When they landed on the island, they were what he called ‘the reserves of the reserves’ but by the fourth day there was already a necessity for them to be pulled out of the reserves. They were told to go up on a hill for observations and during that time, there was heavy mortar going off all around them,” added Pollard.
Major Barto’s Daughter, Libby Barto, is proud to call him her dad, and hopes his accomplishments light a path forward for future generations.
“It’s definitely a sacrifice. They don’t come back the way they leave and so that we really need to appreciate that. Because it is a sacrifice and a real commitment,” said Barto.
The Barto family believes in tradition. Pollard’s son is only 11 years-old, but he’s already got it in mind to follow in his great grandfather’s footsteps, and wants to one day join the Marines.
“I want him to kind of be able to uphold that family legacy,” said Pollard.
The Mt. Soledad Memorial Association adds anywhere from three to five new tributes every week. There are currently more than 200 plaques currently in development.