Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Ben B. Barnes, killed in World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 5, 1944, Barnes was a member of the 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, as the pilot of a single seat P-51D aircraft on an escort mission to Berlin, Germany, when he encountered enemy aircraft during the return flight. His plane was last reported northeast of Berlin over Eberswalde, and a German military shoot-down report documented a P-51 near Carlshof. However, due to political restrictions in the Russian-occupied zone, American Graves Registration teams were unable to conduct further investigations.
From July to September 2015, two DPAA recovery teams excavated a site eyewitnesses led investigators to, and recovered two .50 caliber machine guns, which matched the serial numbers to Barnes’ aircraft, as well as osseous material.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Barnes’ remains were included.
Interment services are set for Oct. 15 in Miller, South Dakota.
Welcome home and rest in peace, 1st Lt. Barnes.