Robert George "Black" Barnes was born on June 2, 1920 in Leechburg, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Dale L. Barnes and Georgia Barnes. He was graduated from the Lincoln Aeronautical Institute in 1942. Robert served in the 379th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group as a First Lieutenant during World War II.
1Lt Barnes was flying Yellow Three and called in a truck at 5 o'clock, recounted Lt. John Shumway, his flight leader. "He peeled off to the right and fell into trail at about 400 yards. I saw him fire a burst as he was nearing tree-top height. As he was still firing, his plane seemed to disintegrate, burning, and almost immediately it exploded about 100 yards from the trees, I circled and could only see a small fire and a few pieces scattered about." Shumway speculated that Barnes had hit the trees; Barnes was killed in the crash. He is now buried in the Brittany American Cemetery, Montjoie Saint Martin, France.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, Thunderbolts Triumphant, The 362nd Fighter Group vs Germany's Wehrmacht