Rex T. Barber

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Rex Barber is awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the mission that killed Yamamoto.

Rex T. Barber (May 6, 1917 - July 26, 2001) was a World War II fighter pilot. He was best known as a member of the top secret P-38 Lightning mission to intercept Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who was flying in a "Betty" bomber on an inspection tour of Japanese bases in the Solomon Islands. Barber is credited with the sole kill of Yamamoto by military historians, but officially he and Captain Thomas George Lanphier, Jr. were credited with half a kill each when Yamamoto's bomber was shot down in April of 1943. In 2003, however, Barber was officially credited with the sole kill after an inspection analyzed the crash site and determined the path of the bullet impacts, thereby validating Barber's account and invalidating Lanphier's claim. Barber was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, a Purple Heart and numerous other awards over his military career.

1 Personal life
2 60th anniversary of the Yamamoto shootdown
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Personal life

Barber was born and raised in Culver, Oregon, and returned there after he retired from a distinguished military career.

He was a student at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon for a period of time, before being drafted. Upon his military discharge, he returned to Culver and resided there for the next forty years. He worked as an insurance agent and, at different times, served the city of Culver as mayor and judge.

He was a strong supporter of Little League Baseball and often helped out local youth.[1][2] He was actively involved in service organizations until his death at Terrbonne, Oregon. His son, Rex Jr., is quoted as saying that his "afterburner just flamed out on him."

[edit] 60th anniversary of the Yamamoto shootdown

On April 18, 2003, Governor Ted Kulongoski proclaimed the day "Rex T. Barber Day." The previous week, the Oregon State Legislature had declared that the new bridge on U.S. Highway 97 over the Crooked River was to be named the Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge in his honor. (This bridge replaced the Crooked River High Bridge.)

The governor and the legislature also concluded, based on recent evidence, that Barber should be given 100 percent credit for shooting down Yamamoto. The new bridge, plaque and kiosk honoring Barber were dedicated on August 9, 2003 at Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint.