PRESS RELEASE | Sept. 5, 2023
Pilot Accounted for from WWII (Barnett, E.)
WASHINGTON –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Edward Barnett, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, killed during World War II was accounted for May 5, 2023.
In the summer of 1943, Barnett served with the 66th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Barnett was serving as a co-pilot crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.
To identify Barnett's remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis.
Barnett's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Barnett's funeral will be in Arlington National Cemetery, on a date to be determined.
For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Edward Barnett MIA/KIA DFC
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Squadron: 66th BS 44th Bomb Group
Service #O-730337
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. GEORGE W. WINGER, KIA
Target: Ploesti
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 41-24015
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: WING DINGER
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti 7 KIA 3POW
Cause:
Lt. Barnett was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his valor in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 44th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Lt. Barnetts remains were never recovered.
Crew of WING DINGER
1Lt George W. Winger Pilot
1Lt George W. Winger Pilot
2nd Lt. Edward Barnett Co Pilot
1st/Lt.Frederick H. Palmer Navigator
T/Sgt. Harold Kretzer Engineer
Sgt.Elvin L. Phillips Gunner
Sgt. Jacob Gradwohl Gunner
Sgt. Howard F. Gotts Gunner
Sgt. Howard F. Gotts Gunner
S/Sgt.Michael J. Cicon Gunner
Pilot Accounted for from WWII (Barnett, E.)
WASHINGTON –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Edward Barnett, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, killed during World War II was accounted for May 5, 2023.
In the summer of 1943, Barnett served with the 66th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Barnett was serving as a co-pilot crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.
To identify Barnett's remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis.
Barnett's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Barnett's funeral will be in Arlington National Cemetery, on a date to be determined.
For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Edward Barnett MIA/KIA DFC
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Squadron: 66th BS 44th Bomb Group
Service #O-730337
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. GEORGE W. WINGER, KIA
Target: Ploesti
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 41-24015
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: WING DINGER
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti 7 KIA 3POW
Cause:
Lt. Barnett was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his valor in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 44th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Lt. Barnetts remains were never recovered.
Crew of WING DINGER
1Lt George W. Winger Pilot
1Lt George W. Winger Pilot
2nd Lt. Edward Barnett Co Pilot
1st/Lt.Frederick H. Palmer Navigator
T/Sgt. Harold Kretzer Engineer
Sgt.Elvin L. Phillips Gunner
Sgt. Jacob Gradwohl Gunner
Sgt. Howard F. Gotts Gunner
Sgt. Howard F. Gotts Gunner
S/Sgt.Michael J. Cicon Gunner
PRESS RELEASE | Sept. 5, 2023
Pilot Accounted for from WWII (Barnett, E.)
WASHINGTON –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Edward Barnett, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, killed during World War II was accounted for May 5, 2023.
In the summer of 1943, Barnett served with the 66th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Barnett was serving as a co-pilot crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.
To identify Barnett's remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis.
Barnett's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Barnett's funeral will be in Arlington National Cemetery, on a date to be determined.
For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Edward Barnett MIA/KIA DFC
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Squadron: 66th BS 44th Bomb Group
Service #O-730337
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. GEORGE W. WINGER, KIA
Target: Ploesti
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 41-24015
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: WING DINGER
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti 7 KIA 3POW
Cause:
Lt. Barnett was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his valor in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 44th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Lt. Barnetts remains were never recovered.
Crew of WING DINGER
1Lt George W. Winger Pilot
1Lt George W. Winger Pilot
2nd Lt. Edward Barnett Co Pilot
1st/Lt.Frederick H. Palmer Navigator
T/Sgt. Harold Kretzer Engineer
Sgt.Elvin L. Phillips Gunner
Sgt. Jacob Gradwohl Gunner
Sgt. Howard F. Gotts Gunner
Sgt. Howard F. Gotts Gunner
S/Sgt.Michael J. Cicon Gunner
Pilot Accounted for from WWII (Barnett, E.)
WASHINGTON –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Edward Barnett, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, killed during World War II was accounted for May 5, 2023.
In the summer of 1943, Barnett served with the 66th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Barnett was serving as a co-pilot crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.
To identify Barnett's remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis.
Barnett's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Barnett's funeral will be in Arlington National Cemetery, on a date to be determined.
For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Edward Barnett MIA/KIA DFC
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Squadron: 66th BS 44th Bomb Group
Service #O-730337
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. GEORGE W. WINGER, KIA
Target: Ploesti
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 41-24015
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: WING DINGER
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti 7 KIA 3POW
Cause:
Lt. Barnett was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his valor in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 44th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Lt. Barnetts remains were never recovered.
Crew of WING DINGER
1Lt George W. Winger Pilot
1Lt George W. Winger Pilot
2nd Lt. Edward Barnett Co Pilot
1st/Lt.Frederick H. Palmer Navigator
T/Sgt. Harold Kretzer Engineer
Sgt.Elvin L. Phillips Gunner
Sgt. Jacob Gradwohl Gunner
Sgt. Howard F. Gotts Gunner
Sgt. Howard F. Gotts Gunner
S/Sgt.Michael J. Cicon Gunner
Inscription
2 LT 66 BOMB SQ 44 BOMB GP (H)
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Illinois.
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