Rex Barber

Rex Barber was a renowned United States Air Force Colonel (United States) and World War II ace who served with distinction in the United States Army Air Forces and later the United States Air Force. He is best known for his role in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, where he flew with the 449th Fighter Squadron and engaged in numerous dogfights with Imperial Japanese Navy and Imperial Japanese Army aircraft, including the Mitsubishi A6M Zero and Nakajima Ki-43. Barber's military career was marked by his exceptional flying skills, which earned him recognition from his peers and superiors, including General of the Army Douglas MacArthur and General Curtis LeMay.

● Early Life and Education

Rex Barber was born in Lorane, Oregon, and grew up in a family of modest means, with his parents working as farmers in the Willamette Valley. He developed an interest in aviation at a young age, inspired by the stories of Charles Lindbergh and the Wright brothers, and began taking flying lessons at the Eugene Airport. Barber attended the University of Oregon, where he studied business administration and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He graduated in 1941 and soon after enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, where he underwent flight training at the Luke Air Force Base and later at the Williams Air Force Base.

● Military Career

Barber's military career spanned nearly two decades, during which he flew numerous aircraft, including the P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt, and F-86 Sabre. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, where he flew with the 449th Fighter Squadron and engaged in dogfights with Imperial Japanese Navy and Imperial Japanese Army aircraft, including the Mitsubishi A6M Zero and Nakajima Ki-43. Barber's squadron was part of the 348th Fighter Group, which was commanded by Colonel Neel Kearby, a highly decorated ace who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Buna-Gona. Barber also served in the Korean War, where he flew with the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing and engaged in dogfights with North Korean Air Force and Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force aircraft, including the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15.

● Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from the United States Air Force in 1961, Barber returned to Oregon and worked as a businessman and farmer. He remained involved in aviation and was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Air Force Association. Barber's legacy as a World War II ace has been recognized by the United States Air Force, which has named a street at the Luke Air Force Base in his honor. He has also been recognized by the State of Oregon, which has named a highway in his honor, and by the City of Eugene, which has named a park in his honor. Barber's story has been featured in numerous books and documentaries, including The History Channel's Dogfights and the Smithsonian Channel's Air Warriors.

● Awards and Decorations

Rex Barber was awarded numerous decorations for his service, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal. He was also awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Gallantry Cross for his service in World War II and the Korean War. Barber's awards and decorations are on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, and at the Oregon Historical Society Museum in Portland, Oregon. He was also recognized by the French government with the award of the Croix de Guerre, and by the British government with the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Category:American World War II flying aces