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| USAAF 5th AF 475th FG 432nd FS |
Pilot F/O Joe B. Barton, T-61059 (MIA / KIA) Muhlenberg County, KY MIA April 3, 1944 at 12:00pm MACR 14285 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 2095. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38J-10-LO Lightning serial number 42-67584. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angles", 432nd Fighter Squadron (432nd FS) "Clover". No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines V-1710-91 serial numbers 42-95237 and V-1710-89 serial number 42-31220. Armed with 20mm cannon made by Oldsmobile serial number 121607 and four .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers 410141, 397342, 407092 and 406957. Mission History On April 3, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield piloted by F/O Joe B. Barton on a strike mission over Hollandia. Barton was flying as wingman for 1st Lt. Clifford J. Mann as part of "Clover Green" flight. The weather was low broken clouds at approximately 2,000'. Over the target, intercepted by Ki-61 Tonys and shot down, crashing at the southern end of Lake Sentani. Last seen by 1st Lt. Clifford J. Mann at 12:00pm. When this aircraft failed to return and was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). 1st Lt. Clifford J. Mann via Missing Air Crew Report 14285 (MACR 14285) page 6 "We entered combat formation at 9,000'. I led my two ship flight into trail behind Clover Green. As we made outside turn to the right, I noticed two Tonys closing fast on my wing-man, F/O Barton. I told him to drop tanks and we broke off in a steep diving turn to the right. We cleared the Tonys at 4,000 feet and in the meantime had lost Clover Green Flight. Noticing a string of P-38's below me, I started down to join up with them. At this time my wingman was again chased by two enemy planes, probably Tonys. I dove and turned slightly to the left. I then noticed my wing-man turn steeply to the left into a cloud. I was unable to follow him. I again turned back toward the target area but lack of gas made it necessary for me to turn back for base. I was unable to contact F/O Barton by radio. I last saw him south east of Sentani Lake." Search Afterwards, no search was made for this aircraft or pilot. Memorials Barton was officially declared dead on February 7, 1946. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Barton is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Lewisburg, KY. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Joe B. Barton USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38J-10-LO Lightning 42-67584 Missing Air Crew Report 14285 (MACR 14285) created April 4, 1944 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joe B. Barton FindAGrave - FltOff Joe Bryne Barton (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Joe Bryne Barton (memorial marker photo) DPAA Personnel Profile - Joe B. Barton (photo) 475th Fighter Group Association - 432nd Fighter Squadron Personnel - Joe B. Barton (KIA) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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 P-38  Map April 4, 1944  MIA 1 Missing |
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