Rex T. Barber
Rex T. Barber | |
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United States of America | |
Service/ | |
Years of service | 1941–1961 |
Rank |
Colonel Rex T. Barber (May 6, 1917 – July 26, 2001) was a World War II fighter pilot from the United States. He is best known as a member of the top secret mission to intercept the aircraft carrying Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in April 1943.[1][2]
Personal life
Born and raised in
Barber married Margaret I. Smith (February 11, 1918 – April 26, 2005[4]) at Tyndall Field on October 3, 1947.[5] They had two sons, Rex Barber Jr. and Richard Barber.[3]
Military service
Barber received his commission as a
On April 18, Lieutenant Barber figured prominently in the Yamamoto interception, also known as
After his tour of duty ended in June 1943, then-Captain Barber requested a return to combat. Late that year, he joined the
Decorations
Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Rex Theodore Barber (ASN: 0-429902), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Pilot of a P-38 fighter airplane in the 339th Fighter Squadron, 37th Fighter Group, THIRTEENTH Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces, attached to a Marine Fighter Command in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 18 April 1943. Participating in a dangerously long interception flight, First Lieutenant Barber contacted a formation of two enemy bombers escorted by six fighters in a complete surprise approach. Quickly engaging the enemy, he pressed his tactical advantage and struck fiercely, destroying one Japanese bomber at such close range that fragments from the explosion lodged in the wings of his plane, and shooting down the escorting enemy fighter plane which had been attempting to divert the attack. His brilliant airmanship and determined fighting spirit throughout a daring and vital mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Armed Services.[9]
Commendations
Barber was awarded the following awards over his military career, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars Gold Medal of Merit.[10]
Badge | U.S. Army Air Forces Command Pilot Badge | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st row | Navy Cross | Silver Star with 1 Oak leaf cluster | ||||||||||
2nd row | Purple Heart | Air Medal | American Campaign Medal | |||||||||
3rd row | Campaign stars
|
World War II Victory Medal
|
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service star | |||||||||
4th row | Korean Service Medal | Air Force Longevity Service Award
with 4 Oak leaf clusters |
China War Memorial Medal (1941-1945) | |||||||||
5th row | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
|
United Nations Korea Medal
|
Korean War Service Medal |
Return to civilian life
Upon his retirement from the military, Barber returned to Culver, Oregon, and resided there for the next forty years. He worked as an insurance agent and, at different times, served the city of Culver as mayor and judge.
He was a strong supporter of Little League Baseball, and often helped out local youth.[11][12] He was actively involved in service organizations until his death at his home in Terrebonne, Oregon. His son, Rex Jr., is quoted as saying that his "afterburner just flamed out on him."[citation needed]
60th anniversary of the Yamamoto shootdown
On April 18, 2003, Governor
References
- ^ Goldstein, Richard (August 1, 2001). "Rex T. Barber, pilot who downed Yamamoto, dies at 84". New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
- ^ a b Bourgeois, Donald P. (April 18, 2013). "Historian says Oregonian Rex Barber shot down Yamamoto in World War II". Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
- ^ a b c Matheny, Susan (August 7, 2001), "Flying ace Rex Barber dies", Madras Pioneer
- ^ U.S. Social Security Death Index. – U.S. Social Security Administration.
- ^ Bailey, Joseph W., County Judge; and MacLeod, Roy M., Chaplain (October 3, 1947), Marriage Certificate # 9488, Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court, Bay County, Florida
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Oregon Secretary of State: Notable Oregonians: Rex T. Barber – WWII Fighter Pilot and Ace". sos.oregon.gov.
- ^ Sowell, John (November 10, 2014). "Did an Idahoan or an Oregon native shoot down Yamamoto?". Idaho Statesman.
- ISSN 0730-6784.
- ^ "Rex Theodore Barber, Navy Cross". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- ^ "Barber, Rex, Theodore, Col". airforce.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- ^ "Oregon Secretary of State: Notable Oregonians: Rex T. Barber – WWII Fighter Pilot and Ace". sos.oregon.gov.
- ^ "Rex Barber Proclamation – Oregon Historical Markers on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com.
- OSU's Famous Alumni
- Notable Oregonians: Rex T. Barber – WWII Fighter Pilot and Ace from the Oregon Blue Book
- Get Yamamoto Burke Davis 1969.
- Lightning Over Bougainville R. Cargill Hall 1991
- Lightning Strike Donald A. Davis 2005
External links
Media related to Rex T. Barber at Wikimedia Commons
- Text of Oregon Joint Resolution 38 (2003) honoring Barber from the Oregon Legislative Assembly
- 456 FIS Rex T. Barber
- Rex T. Barber at Find a Grave