Robert E. Barrier was born January 17, 1922 in Parsons, Labette County, Kansas. His parents were Edgar and Frances Kimber Barrier. They were both born in Kansas and farmed for a living. Robert was the youngest of three children.

He had enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces and served during World War II. Barrier had the rank of Second Lieutenant. Service number assignment was O-775755. Attached to 384th Bomber Group, Heavy, 546th Bomber Squadron as a Pilot/Co Pilot.

Lt. Barrier lost his life on December 27, 1944. He was on the crew of the B-17 #42-31484 “Mairsy Doats”. They sustained battle damage and attempted to land away at RAF Manston, Kent and crashed into aircraft in the dispersal area and exploded, killing the entire crew.

Robert E Barrier is buried at Plot D Row 7 Grave 94, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location.

COMMENDATIONS

★Purple Heart

9 Killed in Action on 27 December 1944 B-17 #42-31484 “Mairsy Doats”:

Pilot: 2nd Lt. Erickson, Stanley W., NY

Co Pilot: 2nd Lt. Barrier, Robert E., KS

Navigator: 2nd Lt. Stern, Paul B., NY

Togglier: S/Sgt. McCloskey, Arthur E., NJ

Radio Operator: Sgt. Hannis, Thomas R., OH

Engineer/Top Turret: S/Sgt. Carriere, Joseph H., MN

Ball Turret: S/Sgt. Rogerson, Harold W., NJ

Tail Gunner: Sgt. Kaloc, Edward T., MD

Waist Gunner: S/Sgt. Chacho, Albert J., CT

*This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see *www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smartphone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story.

If you noticed anything missing in this profile, you may contact the author. Click on the author’s name located at the bottom of the story page next to the words “added by.”.

Thank you for your supreme sacrifice in service to your country

Sources:

https://www.ancestry.com/ - 1920, 1930, 1940 census, draft card

https://www.findagrave.com/* *

https://www.honorstates.org/index.php

https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/

www.americanairmuseum.com