Lt. Col. Robert Barney
Bob Barney, a Missourian Enlisted in Army Air Corp In December, 1940.
Aerial gunner in O-47 aircraft in Hawaii at the time of the Japanese attack - December 7, 1941.
Later, became pilot and aircraft commander of B-17 flying Fortress. Assigned to the Eighth Air Force in England – 43 & 44.
Shot down of 18th bombing mission to Berlin, Germany. on April 29, 1944. during attack by over 200 German Fighters over Magdeberg. Issued "bailout" instructions from flaming aircraft. One of ten crewman killed in the air by enemy fire. Several crew members, including Barney himself, received injuries.
Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft III, home of The Great Escape.
Escaped twice from the enemy, both in early April 1944. Following second escape, Lived with German farmers until liberated by General Pattons' Third Army. - April 29, 1945 - exactly one year from date of captivity.
Chased typhoons from Guam for two years in B-29 aircraft during in mid-fifties. Made 18 typhoon eye penetrations
Pilot and project commander for testing the Atomic Clock in late fifties. Flew four-engine KC-135 jet aircraft from Griffiss Air force Base, N.Y. to Sydney, Australia in 1960. Two German scientists participated in the two-week project. (First jet aircraft ever to land in Australia.)
Served as Director of Flight Test in the Air Force Systems Command for six years prior to retirement.
Bob shared the details of his life in the book: Bulletproof which can be located on Amazon.com
Retired July, 1961 as a Lt. Col, USAF.