| Doyle Clayton Barnes | |
|---|---|
 Doyle Clayton Barnes as a crewmember of the USS Langley | |
| Born | April 5, 1912 |
| Died | August 25, 1942 (aged 30) |
| Place of birth | Oenaville, Texas |
| Place of death | near Eastern Solomon Islands |
| Place of burial | Lost at War, Specifically: Disappeared during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1933–1942 |
| Rank | Ensign |
| Service number | 0-137136 |
| Unit | Enterprise (CV-6) |
| Battles/wars |
World War II • Battle of Midway • Guadalcanal campaign • Battle of the Eastern Solomons • Battle of the Coral Sea |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Air Medal Purple Heart |
Doyle Clayton Barnes (5 April 1912 – 25 August 1942) was an American naval aviator during World War II.
Barnes was born in Oenaville, Texas. He enlisted in the Navy 20 October 1933 and was designated naval aviator 21 March 1942.
Ensign Barnes received the Navy Cross for his heroism during the Battle of Midway 4 June 1942,[1] when he intercepted a flight of Japanese aircraft and downed two torpedo planes. Ensign Doyle was reported missing in action 24 August 1942, when his squadron, based on USS Enterprise (CV-6) engaged the enemy in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.[2]
| “ | The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Machinist Doyle Clayton Barnes (NSN: 0-137136), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Machinist Barnes was launched to defend the ship against an imminent attack by Japanese torpedo planes and fighters. The enemy's attack was so fully developed that Machinist Barnes' take-off was made amid the blasts of the ship's 5" guns which were firing at the incoming enemy planes. He pressed home his attacks against two of the enemy's fighters and also made aggressive attacks against two of the enemy's torpedo planes, shooting two of them down. His attacks against the torpedo planes were carried out despite the heavy anti-aircraft fire from our own ships. His courage, determination and utter disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[3] | ” |
Namesake
The USS Doyle C. Barnes was named in his honor. She was launched 4 March 1944 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Texas; sponsored by Mrs. D. C. Barnes, widow of Ensign Barnes; and commissioned 13 July 1944, Lieutenant Commander J. P. Ingle, USNR, in command.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- ↑ "Doyle Clayton Barnes". Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/memorial/214040180. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
- ↑ "Doyle Clayton Barnes". Military Times. http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=19720. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
External links
| This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors). |
