Robert E. Barnes, aged 19, was born on February 11, 1925 in West Virginia. He served in the 490th Bomb Squadron, 341st Bomb Group (Medium) as a Sergeant. Robert was an Armorer-Gunner aboard B-25J Mitchell #43-4086. He was Killed In Action over Burma, returning from a bombing and strafing mission of a Japanese held jungle target, when his aircraft, operating on a single engine, crashed in poor weather. Four more men were also killed. He died on February 10, 1945 and is now buried in the Crestwood Memorial Cemetery, East Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama, USA.

Robert was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com