For Heroism

The Distinguished Flying Cross Citation below and medal (show above) were awarded to Wally posthumously for his actions on October 25,1944:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Radioman Third Class Wallace Arnold Barney (NSN: 6606140), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Radioman and Tunnel Gunner of a carrier-based torpedo plane on 25 October 1944. He flew 340 miles to make a successful bombing attack on a battleship of the NAGATO Class in a strong formation of the Japanese Fleet in the Second Battle of the Philippines. In spite of intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, he performed his assignment in an outstanding manner, strafed the enemy battleship on the pull-out from the bombing dive and by the cool and diligent performance of his duties materially assisted in the infliction of damage on the enemy fleet by the attack. His skill and courage and superlative performance of duty in the face of damaging fire were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: October 25, 1944

Service: Navy

Rank: Aviation Radioman Third Class

Company: Torpedo Squadron 7 (VT-7)

Wounded by an Instrument of War in the hands of the Enemy

Wally was also posthumously awarded the Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.

The Purple Heart

Commendation and Medal received by Wally's Crew Pilot Lieutenant R.C. Scobell

Lieutenant Richard Scobell was the crew Pilot of the Avenger aircraft that Wally served on. This is the citation and medal he received for his action during Wally's final mission and gives additional details. The Silver Star medal Scobell received for his actions on that mission is shown below

The "Forced landing and raft survival report" of Pilot Lieutenant Scobell

Lt Scobells handwritten report which gives details about Wally

This handwritten report by Pilot Lt JG Scobell gives many more details about the final battle during which Wally was killed. It has now surfaced along with Lt. Scobells medals and pictures after being purchased at an estate auction by a collector. It reads as follows:

Torpedo Squadron #7, Plane #16; Bu No 45879
Pilot; Lt(jg) R.C. Scobell, AV(n) 250948
Turret gunner; C.D. Boyer AMM 1/c
Radio Man;  Wallace A. Barney ARM 3/c

"Take off from carrier 1245 Oct. 25 - 1944

Over target 1610 to 1620 25 miles off NE coast Samar.  Attacked formation of enemy war ships at 1620.  After completing dive and drop on target the plane was hit several times by 20mm and at least once by 40mm.  The starboard wing hit around wheel causing tire to blow out and tearing surface of wing panel and overlap fairing.  Engine and accessory section hit several times by 20mm fire.  Oil line hit causing plane to smoke and lose oil excessively along starboard side.

At 700 ft flew to join up area where an SB2C-3 and F6F-5 of air group 7 joined up.  The fighter stayed well clear at all times but the bomber also flew over the top and asked to have his bombay checked and then wanted the course back to our task group.  We flew for 5-7 minutes at 500 ft and 150 knots on a course of 70-75 degrees.  As the oil pressure dropped steadily and other instruments indicated normal operations.  It was decided to keep the plane in the air as long as practicable to enable us to fly as far from the enemy force as possible.  The crew members tossed out all loose and heavy gear (ammo etc).  The bombay was checked to be sure it was empty and doors closed.  The crew returned to their station and awaited the forced landing.  The flaps were lowered and wheel checked in the up position.  The landing was made with power into the wind as the oil pressure gauge indicated 5 lbs pressure.  The plane stayed afloat close to a minute.  Pilot getting out of cockpit to the starboard side, pulled chute and seat type raft after him.  Worked way back to plane raft compartment removing access door and pulling raft out with aid of a push by turret gunner from port side.  Pilot held two rafts and chute until turret man climbed to the starboard side.  Standing on the wing was not possible due to pitching of the plane and the waves washing over the wing.  It was also hard to hold on to the plane which was covered with oil.  The turret man opened the hatch to the second cockpit.  The radio man did not come up in to the second cockpit*.   The plane was beginning to settle.  The crew men held on to the rafts and the pilot tried to open the turret door but the plane sank nose first and the pilot pushed clear of the tail as the plane slid down.  Worked the little raft out of its container and inflated it.  The gunner climbed in and the loose gear taken aboard.  The big raft was then worked on and inflated, turned over and the pilot climbed in.  The gunner then transferred to the large raft.  About this time the fighter plane made a pass close by and we waved from the raft.

The first night was spent in 2 hour watches.  The warm air would keep the raft as dry as possible and nosed in to the wind.  The small drag from the raft was put out to help in holding position and the 1 man raft was played out on its bow line.  The small sail cloths were used to cover the occupants and to help keep the water out that would lap in to the boat.  One plane was heard to pass over neaby but not running with any lights.  No attempt was made at signaling with flares or other means because the plane could not be identified (rain).  As the sun came up we busied our selves about the raft getting the gear in order and taking a close check on what we had.  We agreed to hold our position as best we could the rest of the day putting out the pilot chute from the parachute as ???? sea anchor.  The sail cloths were used to keep the sun off but were rigged so as to let air slip under.  As the day passed on we took our shoes and stockings off in order to dry our  feet and to give the clothes a chance to drey.  Several planes were seen and heard throughout the day.  Attempts were made with the signal mirror, floating dye marker and the smoke flare was broken out but could not be fitted to the clamp and oar handle in time to be used.  There after the smoke flare was left on the oar for instant use.  With just 2 people in the raft all the various devices could not be used on just one plane.  The pilot used the mirror and the smoke flare and the gunner used the dye marker and vary shell at dusk and early morning when they might be most easily seen, and since only 2 smoke flares were furnished it was felt we should not waste them on planes that might be too far away or to high.

The second night we rigged a sail out the 2 sail cloths and using an oar for a rudder sailed with the wind all night.  The small raft was taken in to the large raft, some of the air released and used as a chushion to lay on.  As several rain squalls came up through the night the small raft was used to cover over the boat and since the sea was fairly calm little water was taken aboard.  The same 2 hour watches were maintained and the raft held on its course.  This night I believe we each picked up some sleep.

As the sky began to lighten up a new sail was made out of a part of the parachute.  The raft straightened about and the gear checked.  The new sail worked well and now the smaller sail cloth could be used to keep the sun off.   As the morning wore on several groups of friendly planes were seen at a distance and low search planes flying their sectors could be seen.  In the early afternoon a TBF and PBM both on searches were spotted.  The smoke can was released and dye marker put out.  The PBM spotted us first and made a wide circle and then flew back 180' from its course.  The TBF stayed with us and about 10 or 15 minutes later another TBF came over  to take a look around.  A destroyer was then seen coming up and the TBF helped in directing the DD to us.  We put up another smoke can and soon the DD was along side.  We climbed aboard with eager hands helping us and were treated like kings aboard destroyer 795 the USS Preston."

-------------

*The Radio Man who "did not come up" was Wally. We can only speculate as to why. The tunnel gunner/radio operator compartment on the bottom of the aircraft was a very dangerous place to be during forced landings at sea. While the landing often felt relatively smooth to the pilot, to the radioman in the belly of the plane, the experience has been compared to that of running into a brick wall . There are stories of radiomen being killed on impact during ditching at sea (the stall speed on the Avenger was around 70 MPH and the pilot would have slowed the aircraft to just above that speed before contacting the water). For this reason, Wally may have been expected (if able) to have climbed up from the belly into the area behind the pilot and to face backwards during the landing because it was safer than remaining in the belly of the aircraft during the ditching process (and existing ditching reports from Avenger crews confirm that this was a common practice). Lieutenant Scobell's remark that "the radio man did not come up" may have been a veiled way of saying that something had happened to Wally because he had not come up to the expected location before the ditching at sea (he would have done so if he had been able). There was very little armor protection in the belly, putting the radioman/tunnel gunner in constant danger of shrapnel wounds from anti-aircraft fire. We know from Scobell's report that the aircraft had sustained a large amount of damage from anti-aircraft fire but the damage to Wally's area in the aircraft or the extent of wounds he may have received in battle is unknown. Based on Lieutenant Scobell's report, it appears that the other crew members were in the process of trying to reach Wally to determine his condition and evacuate him from the aircraft when it sank.  As Lieutenant Scobell noted, the airplane only stayed afloat a total of about 60 seconds before sinking. That of course, leaves questions unanswered about Wally's exact condition at that time, especially for those who knew and loved him. President Abraham Lincoln perhaps responded best to the questions left by the fog of war when he wrote these words to another family regarding the loss of their sons in battle. He wrote, "I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."-Yours, very sincerely and respectfully, A. Lincoln

Red circled area shows where Wally's station was located on the Avenger

A downed Avenger at Sea

A photo from the Avengers operation manual showing the exits to be used during emergency exiting of the aircraft. In the event of a ditching at sea,Wally's exit path was through  "the second cockpit" which is behind the pilots seat (the long black arrow sweeping to the right and up shows the exit path)

The escape hatch on the side of Wally's compartment would have been be partially or totally submerged in the event of a ditching at sea.

The NAGATO

Battleship Nagato below--US Navy Avenger Above

The ship Wally's Avenger aircraft attacked in the Battle off Samar was likely the NAGATO. Wally's Distinguished Flying Cross Citation notes that " He flew 340 miles to make a successful bombing attack on a battleship of the NAGATO Class in a strong formation of the Japanese Fleet in the Second Battle of the Philippines."  There were only two NAGATO class ships ever built by the Japanese, the NAGATO and the MUTSU. The NAGATO was the only one of the two ships that was present in the Second Battle of the Phillippines. Lieutenant Scobell's (the Pilot of Wally's Avenger) Silver Star Citation notes that "Fearlessly plunging through a sheet of concentrated and withering enemy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Scobell launched a bitter attack on a formidable battleship in the center of the formation and, despite the target's vigorous evasive maneuvers, succeeded in making a difficult stem-to-stern dive bombing run to score two probable damaging hits on the important vessel. NAGATO ship logs for October 25th, 1944, recorded the following remarks: "16:56 - Attacked by a group of dive-bombers. While making a sharp evasive maneuver, four quarterdeck AA gunners are washed overboard. Destroyer AKISHIMO is detached to pick them up but fails to locate any survivors." Lieutenant Scobell's Forced Landing report indicates that they were  "Over target 1610 to 1620 25 miles off NE coast Samar.  Attacked formation of enemy war ships at 1620 " . The Hancock torpedo squadron arrived over the battle site flying at an altitude of 14,000 feet according to records so given the time required to set-up and carry out the attack that also roughly corroborates with the Nagatos own records and gives additional support to identifying the NAGATO as the ship attacked by Wally's aircraft. The NAGATO had been the flagship of Admiral Isoroku Yammamoto during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The NAGATO was the very ship, from which he heard the final code signal, "Tora! Tora! Tora!", informing him that the attack he engineered on Pearl Harbor was underway. My wifes Uncle Jay Young had been sent to the bottom of the ocean in the USS Arizona at Pear Harbor by Yammamotos fleet but now karmic justice had arrived with my Uncle Wally and crew as part of that force to help apply it. Wallys Distinguished Flying Cross Citation notes that " In spite of intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, he performed his assignment in an outstanding manner, strafed the enemy battleship on the pull-out from the bombing dive and by the cool and diligent performance of his duties materially assisted in the infliction of damage on the enemy fleet by the attack." And the NAGATO was definitely damaged that day by multiple US forces because it decided to sail back to Japan for repairs. The huge battleship NAGATO was never again sent out on a mission against America. The Imperial Japanese Navy was running out of fuel by this time and decided not to fully repair her. NAGATO was converted into a floating anti-aircraft platform and assigned to coastal defense duties.  After the war, the ship was used as a target for U.S. nuclear bombing tests during Operation Crossroads in mid-1946. She survived the first test with little damage, but was sunk by the second test. Many American lives were ultimately saved because the NAGATO had been put out of offensive action.
And what was it like to "fearlessly plunge through a sheet of concentrated and withering enemy anti-aircraft fire" to attack a huge battleship ship like NAGATO?  Helldiver gunner Joe Anderlik of carrier Franklin gives us some insight in his record of attacking the Japanese battleship MUSHASHI the previous day. He wrote,  "I couldn't believe how enormous they were!", and gunner Russ Dustan also of Franklin added "I had never seen anything as big in my entire life. It was a magnificent sight"... Musashi's anti-aircraft weapons helped set up an intense umbrella of flak above the fleet, while her 18-in guns fired into the water to make huge geysers aimed at knocking down American torpedo bombers. "Running into one of these geysers would be like running into a mountain", recalled TBF Avenger pilot Jack Lawton, "I felt the muzzle blast each time they fired. I could swear the wings were ready to fold every time these huge shockwaves hit us."The MUSHASHI had a 16 inch thick armour belt at the water line and had been struck by a total of 19 torpedoes and 17 bombs before she sank on October 24, 1944 in the Battle of Leyete Gulf (all part of the same general battle that Wally participated in). The NAGATO had 12 inch thick armour at the waterline so that gives you some idea of the tremendous firepower and damage that would be required to sink such a ship.

Battleship Nagato

A photo of the crew of the Nagato giving you some idea of the size of the ship

How we finally sank the NAGATO with a single bomb

        Here's a video showing the size & firepower of the NAGATO

The Patch worn by Wally's Torpedo Squadron

Here's a picture of the patch worn by Wally's Torpedo squadron.

Above are shown a couple of Avengers from Wally's Torpedo Squadron Seven VT-7 off the USS Hancock. Note the horseshoe insignia on the tail of the airplane.

Torpedo Squadron 7

Commissioning of Torpedo Squadron 7. Wally should be in this picture somewhere because he was there when the squadron was commissioned.

Picture of Torpedo Squadron 7 (VT-7)

Wally may  be in this photo of the enlisted crew members of Torpedo Squadron 7 (although I am unable to locate him ). No date could be found to identify when the photo was taken.

The USS Hancock

The USS Hancock

The Hanger Bay on the USS Hancock. Wally no doubt walked across this floor many times.

Hancock Memorial containing Wally's name (under Air Group 7)

The USS Hancock was the ship Wally was based on at the time of the Battle off Samar. It was a brand new ship on its very first operational mission when Wally was there. Below is a history of of her actions during that first mission while Wally was there and up until his death (quoted below from her own history records).

"From September 10 to 14, night carrier landing qualifications were completed west of the islands. Twenty-one pilots were qualified. During the daytime, the Gunnery Department exercised at sleeve firing.

On 14th of September while moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Admiral of the British Fleet, Lord KEYES, Royal Navy; Admiral CHESTER W. NIMITZ, USN; Lieut. General HARMON, USA; Lieut. General BUCKNER, USA; Rear Admiral SHERMAN, USN, accompanied by staff and civilian passengers, came aboard to review exercises. At 1230 that day, 25 VF, 16 VB, 10 VT flew out from the beach and landed aboard. This group was launched again at 1345, and the ship proceeded and moored at starboard side of Pier F-2, N.A.S., Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T.H. The highest commendation that the ship and air group received on this day's exercise was from Admiral NIMITZ. He said, quote "The HANCOCK and Air Group SEVEN are ready to fight the Japs" unquote.

"OPERATION ONE"

"Operation One," in our history, started on October 6 and was a 25-day jaunt up to the Nansei Shoto Islands (Okinawa and Amami O Shima), Formosa, Luzon, and back to Ulithi.

There were eight strike days during this operations. A strike day is a day when our planes take off to bomb, rocket and strafe any enemy force or installations.

The first day of HANCOCK air action against enemy forces and installations was October 10, when our planes swarmed over Okinawa, Amami O Jima and Mimami Dai to Jima, which are islands in the Nansei Shoto group south of Japan. On this initial day of battle 10 October 1944, the ship launched four deckload strikes against enemy airfields, surface vessels and air installations at Okinawa Jima, North of 26 30' north. A deckload at that time consisted of twelve scout bombers, VB; nine torpedo bombers, VT; and eight fighters, VF. In addition, Ie Jima was reconnoitered and Amami O Jima, Minami Daito Jima and Kita Diato Jima were photographed. During the day, 156 sorties over the targets were flown and 53 tons of bombs dropped by HANCOCK aircraft. The following damage to the enemy: one Jingei-class submarine tender, one large tanker, one medium freighter, one small oiler, one oil barge, one LST and six luggers were sunk. Four medium freighters, two medium oilers, four small oilers and seven luggers or barges were probably sunk; one large freighter and one small freighter were damaged; and seven enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Our own losses consisted of one VB with pilot and crewman, shot down by enemy AA. The element of surprise in this engagement was overwhelming to the enemy. He was literally caught with his "pants down".

October 12, 13 and 14 found us again in action, and we were duly initiated into combat this time. Strikes were launched against Eastern and Northern Formosa, and it is to be noted that it was particularly daring for our task force to enter these waters at this early date, when the Philippines were still Japanese controlled. Those of us who were aboard for the first big air raid against our fleet on the night of October 12 and 13 will never forget it. Our best estimates any that about 90 to 100 Japanese planes were in the raids. We stayed at our battle stations repelling the attacks from the beginning of sunset at about twenty minutes after five (1720 navy time) until four thirty-five the next morning. That makes seven hours and fifteen minutes of attack; but the excitement was so great that most of us thought it was not more than a couple of hours. There was little time to look at our watches to check up on that.

One thing we did learn, and it was an important lesson: we learned that our hours of gunnery exercises and our repeated warnings to keep vigilant were not wasted. We shot down two of the planes that made direct runs on us and saved the HANNAH from what might have been serious damage.

On October 14, one plane scored a fortunate hit on us; and yet, not so fortunate for the Japanese, because although it did make a hole in catwalk, the bomb did not explore until it hit the water alongside the ship and no damage was suffered by us other then the hole.

These operations had been in support of the impending campaign against Leyte. On October 21, we continued them, sending our planes out to hit Masbate, Cebu, Nigros and Panay - all islands in the Philippines. The Leyte landings had been made the day before.

Three days later, our American Patrol planes contacted heavy units of the Jap's Fleet underway in the Visayas. The news was electrifying to us and we turned our course of attack.

That which followed has since been designated "The Second Battle of the Philippine Sea". Our planes did a good job of pickling several enemy ships, scoring damaging hits on a NACHI Class heavy cruiser, and a YAMATO Class battleship. Strikes continued, and we scored additional hits on a KONGO Class battleship, a NACHI Class heavy cruiser, and an AGANO Class light cruiser, The enemy fleet was well covered with smoke from its own fires by this time as October 25 drew to a close.

During the night, the enemy retreated to the Sulu Sea, and our planes pursued the next day. West of Panay hits with 1000-pound bombs were scored on a MOGAMI Class heavy cruiser, and these were followed up by torpedo hits. Later flights reported this ship sunk.

Shortly after this time, but still before morning had passed, an AGANO Class light cruiser was sighted, also west of Panay. Torpedo attacks polished this one off with terrific explosions and we now had two large warships to our credit. But the day was not completed. Our planes returned in the afternoon and sank a 5000-ton landing ship. HANNAH, in the Second Philippine Sea Battle, has done her part."

Formation of TBM Avengers from the USS Hancocks bomber squadron  flying support for the invasion of Okinawa

This photo of the USS Hancock carries the caption " October 25, 1944" so this is how the deck of the ship appeared on the day of Wally's last mission

The Battle off Samar

Japanese Battleship Yamato off Samar on Oct 25th, 1944

Wally's Distinguished Flying Cross Citation notes that " He flew 340 miles to make a successful bombing attack on a battleship of the NAGATO Class in a strong formation of the Japanese Fleet in the Second Battle of the Philippines. "
 
The Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and in some ways the largest naval battle in history. It is commonly known today as The Battle of Leyte Gulf. The United States suffered 2,800 casualties; the sinking of 1 light carrier, 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort and over 200 airplanes. The Japanese lost 12,500 men, 1 fleet carrier, 3 light carriers, 3 battleships, 10 cruisers, 11 destroyers and over 300 airplanes.


It was fought in waters near the Philippine islands of Leyte, Samar and Luzon from October 23rd to October 26th,  1944. On 20 October, United States troops invaded the island of Leyte as part of a strategy aimed at isolating Japan from the countries it had occupied in Southeast Asia, and in particular depriving its forces and industry of vital oil supplies. The Imperial Japanese Navy mobilized nearly all of its remaining major naval vessels in an attempt to defeat the Allied invasion, but was repulsed by the US Navy's 3rd and 7th Fleets. The Japanese Navy failed to achieve its objective, suffered very heavy losses, and never afterwards sailed to battle in comparable force. The majority of its surviving heavy ships, deprived of fuel, remained in their bases for the rest of the Pacific War (including the mighty Nagato which went to its underwater grave scarred with strafing marks across her deck put there by Wally).

The Battle off Samar was the centermost action of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history and the one in which Wally was killed in action. (Lt Scobels citation reads " in the battle for Leyte Gulf, off Samar, October 25th, 1944). It took place in the Philippine Sea off Samar Island, in the Philippines. As the only major action in the larger battle where the Americans were largely unprepared against the opposing forces, it has been cited by historians as one of the greatest military mismatches in naval history.

Wally's ship, the USS Hancock was too far away to participate directly in the Battle off Samar but was within striking distance with her aircraft, which is why Wally's citation states "He flew 340 miles to make a successful bombing attack".

Photos of the Battle off Samar taken by USS Hancock Squadron

Here's some photos of the Battle off Samar taken from the USS Hancocks own aircraft. You are seeing the battle as Wally and his squadron saw it.

Turret Gunner Clifford Daniel Boyer‏

Clifford Daniel Boyer -  Turret Gunner

Cliff survived the war, married and lived to age 73. He is buried in Florida

Clifford D. Boyer was the Turret Gunner of Wally's Avenger Crew. He sat in a rotating turret right above Wally. No personal histories, recollections or reports about the war or that mission written by him have yet been located. He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions on the mission of October 25th, 1944.

His Citation reads as follows:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class Clifford Daniel Boyer (NSN: 2506170), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Turret Gunner in a carrier-based torpedo plane in a glide bombing attack on a formation of the Japanese fleet on 25 October 1944, in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands in the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea. His plane scored two bomb hits on a battleship. He performed his assigned duties with outstanding courage and ability while flying through a dense curtain of anti-aircraft fire from the Japanese Fleet. His unflinching and alert performance of duty was an important contribution to the success of the attack and was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
 General Orders: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01060 (January 22, 1945)

Action Date: October 25, 1944

Service: Navy

Rank: Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class

Division: U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

Lieutenant Richard C. Scobell

 

Lt. Richard Scobell-The Avenger Pilot who flew with Wally

Lt. Richard Scobell, the pilot of Wally's Avenger crew had only been with VT-7 (Wally's Torpedo Squadron on the USS Hancock )since Oct 16, 1944 so he and Wally had flown together for less than 10 days prior to Wally's death when their plane was shot down on Oct 25th during the Battle off Samar. As previously noted,  LT. Scobell survived the battle that Wally did not, but was killed in action less than three months later. He died on January 16th, 1945 in a collision with another Avenger while trying to avoid anti-aircraft fire when the The Hancock launched strikes on the Hainan Islands in the Gulf of Tonkin,the Pescadores Islands and shipping in the harbor of Hong Kong. (UPDATE: it is now believed that the collision between the Avengers was more likely caused by the shockwave of the exploding shells pushing one of the aircraft into the other rather than by the pilots  trying to avoid the anti-aircraft fire.)


In a letter from Acting Commander Lt.Norman Anthony to the mother of another serviceman (Eugene Barrow) we learn how he was killed.
 
"On 16 Jan. They were on a bombing mission over enemy territory and Eugene was flying as radio gunner with Lt.(jg)Hunt.They were engaged by intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire shortly before launching the attack. Lt.(jg)Hunts plane and Lt.(jg)Scobells plane collided and spiraled to earth. Lt.Anthony states that he was certain that the pre-occupation of both pilots trying to evade the anti-aircraft fire had a lot to do with the collision as they were far too experienced for that to happen under normal circumstances.

Another official letter dated 21 January 1947 reads in part:

You have previously been informed by a letter from the Secretary of the Navy that your son, the late Lieutenant (junior grade) Richard Cassebeer Scobell, United States Naval Reserve, missing in action as of 16 January 1945, was presumend to have lost his life on 17 January 1946.  This date was used for the purpose of termination of pay and allowances, settlement of accounts, and payment of death gratuities.

Positive evidence in the form of a report from the Army Graves Registration Service has now been received showing that your son was given a mass burial and is interred in Grave 466, Plot A, Hungjao Road Cemetery, Shanghai, China.  All the information available concerning the identification and further dispositiion of  the remains of your son was furnished you in a letter from the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washintond 25, D.C., dated 23 September 1946.

On the basis of the foregoing evidence and puruant to the provisions of Section 9 of Public Law 408, 78th Congress, it has been determined that you son died on 16 January 1945.  The records of the Navy Department have been corrected accordingly.

The letter that came with the photo of the headstone dated 30 June 1952 reads in part:

Reference is made to the interment of your son, the late Lieutenant (jg) Richard C. Scobell, and his comrades, which was made in Grave 20, Section D, Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, Iowa.  It is regretted that because of the fact it was impossible to identify individually the remains of your son, you were deprived of the comfort and consolation which you might have been afforded by interring his remains at home.


During his service, Lt. Scobell was awarded a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross,  an Air Medal with two Gold Stars, and a Purple Heart.

An amateur military historian in Hong Kong believes he has found the wreckage of one of the aircraft involved in the mid-air collision which killed Lt. Scobell

Read the story about the discovery of the wreckage here

The headstone marking the mass grave for Scobell and the other servicemen killed when their planes collided.

Update: March 28, 2015: A second article referencing the ongoing search for Lt. Scobells aircraft has been located here

The Avenger

The Avenger was the largest single engine aircraft to ever be used by the Navy in World War II. It was capable of carrying a 2000 lb. torpedo. It was so named because it was built to "avenge" Pearl Harbor.

Here's a link where a lot of  interesting information about this aircraft can be found.

If you have an extra $495 (sorry that's $990 because of the two seat minimum) you can still take a ride in an Avenger (See details at the link given above). There are only about a dozen Avengers still flying and only two that offer rides so start saving your money NOW.

This Photo captures the very first Avenger landing on the USS Hancock

Here's a good view of the underside of the Avenger showing the area Wally occupied

TBF Avenger in flight

Bombs Away

A video documentary about the Avenger

Wally's Salt Lake Tribune Obituary

(a photocopy of the actual obituary will be added at a later date)
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 25, 1944, PAGE THIRTEEN

BENJAMIN SEAMAN KILLED IN PACIFIC

Wallace Arnold Barney, A R M 3/c, USN, was killed in action in the Pacific area, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Royal Barney, Benjamin, Utah county, learned Friday.

A native of Escalante, he was born May 22, 1920, and was educated in Escalante and North Cache high schools.  He entered the navy in 1942 and trained in Florida, Washington and California prior to going overseas.

Survivors include his parents; eight sisters, Mrs. Juanita Alvey and Miss Nina Mae Barney, Escalante; Miss Evelyn Barney, S 2/c, WAVES, Coronado, Cal.; Mrs. Fern Ball, Burlington, Ala.; Cherril, Jean, Carla and Clair Barney, Benjamin; three brothers, Lendon K. Barney, USN; Howard and Terry Barney, Benjamin, and two grandparents, Mrs. Lucy E. Barney, Escalante, and W. M. Moosman, Smithfield.


Now that I have children of my own who are about the age that Wally was when he was killed, I can more fully appreciate the absolute anguish that my Grandparents and Wally's  brothers and sisters must have felt upon receiving the news of Wally's Death.

Wally's memorial marker in the Springville, Utah, Evergreen Cemetery. Note: The "DFC-PH" engraved on his marker indicates he was awarded the  "Distinguished Flying Cross" and "Purple Heart". ARM3 stands for "Aviation Radioman 3rd Class"

The application for Wally's Grave Marker. Looks like someone checked all the details.

Wallys name is also one of the 36,285 names inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Phillippines

Entry at the American Battle Monuments Commission stating

that Wally is listed on the Tablets of the Missing. If anyone happens to be in Manila some time, please take a picture of Wally's name on the tablets and send it to me for posting on this blog.

The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines occupies 152 acres on a prominent plateau, visible at a distance from the east, south and west. It contains the largest number of graves of our military dead of World War II, a total of 17,201, most of whom lost their lives in operations in New Guinea and the Philippines. The headstones are aligned in 11 plots forming a generally circular pattern, set among masses of a wide variety of tropical trees and shrubbery.

Soldier playing taps at the Tablets of the Missing
 Manila Cemetery

The Tunnel Gunner Radio Operator Compartment on the Avenger

Here's some photos showing what Wally's compartment in the Avenger looked like.

Looking aft at the machine gun Wally used in battle

Looking forward at the Radio that Wally operated

Aviation Radioman Third Class

Wally served as a Aviation Radioman Third Class

Here's a link to a great story telling what it was like being an Aviation Radioman Third Class

Here's somebody we all know who served in exactly the same position as Wally during the war

Paul Newman

Paul Newman was an Aviation Radioman Third Class in an Avenger Squadron aboard the USS Bunker Hill

Escalante Boy

Wally grew up in Escalante, Utah. The 1940 Census indicates Wally as being age 19, a Laborer in the Civilian Conservation Corps and earning $300 that year. It shows my Grandfather Royal Barney as being age 45, working as a foreman on a road construction crew and earning $720 that year. My mother Carla Dean was age 2.

1940 census showing the Barney family living in Escalante

Escalante Main Street in 1940...and still no paved streets

Pack mules were used to carry mail to Escalante until about 1940

Wally (middle front row) and family living in Escalante, Utah in 1930's

1930 Census showing Barney family members and ages living in Escalante in 1930.
It records that my Grandfather was a Farmer