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Colonel Rex Barber - Cranston-Military-Prints.com Aviation Art Store
Aviation Art Collecton - Colonel Rex Barber





Died : 2001

Rex Theodore Barber was born in Culver, Oregon on May 6, 1917. Barber was accepted at Oregon State University and graduated from that University in 1940. In September of that year Barber enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as a private first class, prior to being accepted for flight training in March of 1941. Following graduation with Class 41-H from Mather Field in California in October of 1941, now Lt. Rex Barber was assigned to the 70th Fighter Squadron of the 35th Fighter Group. He arrived in the Fiji Islands with his new unit in January of 1942. Barber's only victory in 1942 was on December 28, 1942 when he downed a twin-engine Japanese 'Nell.' Early in 1943 the 70th Fighter Squadron was integrated into the 339th Fighter Group, and converted to the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter. The P-38 was an ideal aircraft given the long distances involved in combat in the Pacific. In April Rex got credit for downing two Zekes near Cape Esperance. On April 18, 1943 Rex participated in one of the most interesting missions of the War, the interception and destruction of the Betty bomber carrying Admiral lsoruko Yamamoto, the Commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet, and mastermind of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The mission was commanded by Major John Mitchell. While a total of sixteen aircraft were involved, only four were to actually attack the Betty. With Yamamoto noted for his punctuality, and American code-breakers having deciphered his intinerary, Mitchell's flight had a fighting chance of pulling off the mission. Yamamoto's flight arrived on schedule. There were two Betty bombers and only four escorting fighters. Barber, Lt. Frank Holmes and Captain Tom Lamphier got in the heat of the action. Barber got hits on both the Bettys and also bagged a Zeke. The Army Air Force decided after the mission to give equal credit to both Lamphier and Barber for downing the Betty which Yamamoto was a passenger in. Years later Tom Lamphier lobbied hard for getting sole credit for the Yamamoto victory. The Air Force's official investigation concluded that a shared victory was still appropriate. More recent evidence, including testimony from one of the Japanese Zero pilots and a survivor from one of the Bettys which was downed, were supportive of the thesis that Rex Barber should get full credit. A book published by noted aviation historian and author Carroll Glines favors this conclusion, and a recent review panel of the American Fighter Aces Association concluded that Rex Barber deserves the sole credit for downing Yamamoto's Betty. This unfortunate controversy tarnishes the fact that this mission was the longest successful interception of its kind, and all those who participated in all aspects of it deserve credit. Barber served a second combat tour in the Pacific with the 449th Fighter Squadron in China. Following the War, Rex commanded the 29th Fighter Squadron of the 412th Fighter Group. Later he would command one of the Air Force's early jet squadrons flying the P-59A Airacomet and the P-80. Rex retired from the Air Force in 1961. His numerous decorations include the Navy Cross, the Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. In January 1945, he returned to duty with 412th Fighter Group, 29th Fighter Squadron, testing the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. He flew jet fighters in the Korean War and retired as a Colonel after a full Air Force career. By the end of WWII, Barber had five confirmed aerial victories and three probables. Awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal and Veteran of foreign Wars Gold Medal of Merit, he died peacefully in his home on July 26, 2001.

Based on many years of experience in dealing with thousands of aviation signatures, we have estimated the value this signature adds to a print as £65


Bogeys Eleven O Clock High by Robert Taylor


Bogeys Eleven O Clock High by Robert Taylor

Doug Canning breaks radio silence to call the sighting of Admiral Yamamotos flight over the pacific island of Bourganville, 18 April 1943. After a two and a half hour, four hundred mile flight just above the waves, mission leader John Mitchell and his 16 ship raiding party push their P-38s to full power to complete one of the most remarkable ambushes in aviation history.
Item Code : DHM2075Bogeys Eleven O Clock High by Robert Taylor - Editions Available
FULL DETAILS
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 1250 prints.
Great value : Value of signatures exceeds price of item!
Paper size 38 inches x 24 inches (97cm x 61cm)
Mitchell, John W
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 1995
Colonel John W Mitchell (deceased)
One of the most famous fighter leaders of WWII, John Mitchell joined the Service in 1934. In a career spanning 24 years, he flew no fewer than 457 combat missions, taking part in the Campaigns of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and later flying jets in Korea. John Mitchell was responsible for planning, navigating and leading the most successful long distance intercept in aviation history, culminating in the demise of Admiral Yamamoto. This highly decorated Ace is credited with 16 air victories. He
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Ames, Roger J
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2000
Lt Colonel Roger J Ames (deceased)
Roger Ames joined the USAAF for pilot training on 24th April 1941 and was assigned to the 12th Fighter Squadron. He first saw combat in December of the following year, and logged a total of 67 hours of combat flying in P39s and P38s. Selected for the Yamamoto mission, he flew in Mitchells top cover group, sweeping the sky above Bougainville at 18000 feet. He served in the South Pacific, Solomons, and Canal Zone during WWII. He died in 2000.
Signature Value : £60
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Barber, Rex

Died : 2001
Colonel Rex Barber (deceased)
Rex Theodore Barber was born in Culver, Oregon on May 6, 1917. Barber was accepted at Oregon State University and graduated from that University in 1940. In September of that year Barber enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as a private first class, prior to being accepted for flight training in March of 1941. Following graduation with Class 41-H from Mather Field in California in October of 1941, now Lt. Rex Barber was assigned to the 70th Fighter Squadron of the 35th Fighter Group. He ar
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Canning, Doug
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2016
Lt Colonel Doug Canning (deceased)
Doug Canning flew his first combat mission in early 1942 having joined the service the previous year. He went on to fly 63 combat missions and is one of the few pilots to have flown in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. During his combat career he survived an ocean landing, and sank a Japanese transport ship. On the Yamamoto mission he flew in John Mitchells flight, and was the first pilot to sight Yamamotos aircraft. He died on 16th February 2016.
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Goerke, Delton
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 1999
Captain Delton Goerke (deceased)
Almost two years to the day after joining the USAAF, Delton Goerke found himself selected to take part in the Yamamoto Mission. He had three combat tours to Guadalcanal with 339th Pursuit Squadron and saw action also in the Solomon Islands. He flew P39 and P38 fighters and completed a total of 78 combat missions. On the Yamamoto Missions he was part of Mitchells top cover flight. He died 23rd March 1999.
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Graebener, Larry
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Captain Larry Graebener
Having joined the USAAF in May 1941, Larry Graebener was posted to the 45th Squadron based in Hawaii. Transferred to the 12th Squadron he took part in his first combat in August of 1942. During his war he took part in three major Pacific battles, flew 50 combat missions, crash landed twice in the Pacific, and spent a week behind Japanese lines. Larry Graebener was in the top cover flight on the Yamamoto Mission.
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Holmes, Besby F
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 2006
Lt Colonel Besby F Holmes (deceased_
Besby Holmes was one of only 18 fighter pilots to get airborne over Hawaii on 7th December 1941. 18th April 1943 sw him in the Attack Flight on the Yamamoto Mission. After initial difficulty releasing long range tanks, Holmes, with wingman Ray Hine, joined Barber and Lamphier in the attack on the bombers and the dog fight with the escorting Zeroes. Besby Holmes was credited with 6 air victories in his 145 combat missions. He died on 23rd July 2006.
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Jacobson, Julius Jack
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2005
Major Julius Jack Jacobson (deceased)
Jack Jacobson joined the Service in March 1941, and flew his first combat missions in October 1942. Jack Jacobson was John Mitchells regular wingman, and flew in that position on the Yamamoto Mission. Flying P39s and later P38s he saw action at Guadalcanal and in the Solomons, flying a total of 111 combat missions. After leaving the Service in 1946 he rejoined to serve two years in the Korean conflict. Cracking the Japanese naval code, U.S. intelligence discovered the travel plans of Admiral
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Kittel, Louis R
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Lt Colonel Louis R Kittel
Lou Kittel joined the Service in 1939, seeing his first combat in March 1943 in the Pacific. He pioneered night-fighting techniques useing the P38, loitering at high altitude and pouncing on enemy aircraft caught in the searchlights. On one occasion he flamed two Bettys over Guadalcanal in a spectacular interception watched by half the islands population, returning to a heroes welcome. Lou Kittel flew 78 combat missions and recorded 4 air victories and 1 probable.
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Robert Taylor
£20 Off!Now : £250.00

Quantity:
Limited edition of artist proofs.
Great value : Value of signatures exceeds price of item!
Paper size 38 inches x 24 inches (97cm x 61cm)
Mitchell, John W
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 1995
Colonel John W Mitchell (deceased)
One of the most famous fighter leaders of WWII, John Mitchell joined the Service in 1934. In a career spanning 24 years, he flew no fewer than 457 combat missions, taking part in the Campaigns of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and later flying jets in Korea. John Mitchell was responsible for planning, navigating and leading the most successful long distance intercept in aviation history, culminating in the demise of Admiral Yamamoto. This highly decorated Ace is credited with 16 air victories. He
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Ames, Roger J
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2000
Lt Colonel Roger J Ames (deceased)
Roger Ames joined the USAAF for pilot training on 24th April 1941 and was assigned to the 12th Fighter Squadron. He first saw combat in December of the following year, and logged a total of 67 hours of combat flying in P39s and P38s. Selected for the Yamamoto mission, he flew in Mitchells top cover group, sweeping the sky above Bougainville at 18000 feet. He served in the South Pacific, Solomons, and Canal Zone during WWII. He died in 2000.
Signature Value : £60
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Barber, Rex

Died : 2001
Colonel Rex Barber (deceased)
Rex Theodore Barber was born in Culver, Oregon on May 6, 1917. Barber was accepted at Oregon State University and graduated from that University in 1940. In September of that year Barber enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as a private first class, prior to being accepted for flight training in March of 1941. Following graduation with Class 41-H from Mather Field in California in October of 1941, now Lt. Rex Barber was assigned to the 70th Fighter Squadron of the 35th Fighter Group. He ar
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Canning, Doug
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2016
Lt Colonel Doug Canning (deceased)
Doug Canning flew his first combat mission in early 1942 having joined the service the previous year. He went on to fly 63 combat missions and is one of the few pilots to have flown in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. During his combat career he survived an ocean landing, and sank a Japanese transport ship. On the Yamamoto mission he flew in John Mitchells flight, and was the first pilot to sight Yamamotos aircraft. He died on 16th February 2016.
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Goerke, Delton
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 1999
Captain Delton Goerke (deceased)
Almost two years to the day after joining the USAAF, Delton Goerke found himself selected to take part in the Yamamoto Mission. He had three combat tours to Guadalcanal with 339th Pursuit Squadron and saw action also in the Solomon Islands. He flew P39 and P38 fighters and completed a total of 78 combat missions. On the Yamamoto Missions he was part of Mitchells top cover flight. He died 23rd March 1999.
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Graebener, Larry
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Captain Larry Graebener
Having joined the USAAF in May 1941, Larry Graebener was posted to the 45th Squadron based in Hawaii. Transferred to the 12th Squadron he took part in his first combat in August of 1942. During his war he took part in three major Pacific battles, flew 50 combat missions, crash landed twice in the Pacific, and spent a week behind Japanese lines. Larry Graebener was in the top cover flight on the Yamamoto Mission.
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Holmes, Besby F
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 2006
Lt Colonel Besby F Holmes (deceased_
Besby Holmes was one of only 18 fighter pilots to get airborne over Hawaii on 7th December 1941. 18th April 1943 sw him in the Attack Flight on the Yamamoto Mission. After initial difficulty releasing long range tanks, Holmes, with wingman Ray Hine, joined Barber and Lamphier in the attack on the bombers and the dog fight with the escorting Zeroes. Besby Holmes was credited with 6 air victories in his 145 combat missions. He died on 23rd July 2006.
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Jacobson, Julius Jack
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2005
Major Julius Jack Jacobson (deceased)
Jack Jacobson joined the Service in March 1941, and flew his first combat missions in October 1942. Jack Jacobson was John Mitchells regular wingman, and flew in that position on the Yamamoto Mission. Flying P39s and later P38s he saw action at Guadalcanal and in the Solomons, flying a total of 111 combat missions. After leaving the Service in 1946 he rejoined to serve two years in the Korean conflict. Cracking the Japanese naval code, U.S. intelligence discovered the travel plans of Admiral
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Kittel, Louis R
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Lt Colonel Louis R Kittel
Lou Kittel joined the Service in 1939, seeing his first combat in March 1943 in the Pacific. He pioneered night-fighting techniques useing the P38, loitering at high altitude and pouncing on enemy aircraft caught in the searchlights. On one occasion he flamed two Bettys over Guadalcanal in a spectacular interception watched by half the islands population, returning to a heroes welcome. Lou Kittel flew 78 combat missions and recorded 4 air victories and 1 probable.
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Robert Taylor
£325.00

Quantity:



Lightning Strike by Robert Taylor.


Lightning Strike by Robert Taylor.

Item Code : AX0035Lightning Strike by Robert Taylor. - Editions Available
FULL DETAILS
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 26 inches (86cm x 66cm)
Mitchell, John W
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 1995
Colonel John W Mitchell (deceased)
One of the most famous fighter leaders of WWII, John Mitchell joined the Service in 1934. In a career spanning 24 years, he flew no fewer than 457 combat missions, taking part in the Campaigns of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and later flying jets in Korea. John Mitchell was responsible for planning, navigating and leading the most successful long distance intercept in aviation history, culminating in the demise of Admiral Yamamoto. This highly decorated Ace is credited with 16 air victories. He
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Barber, Rex

Died : 2001
Colonel Rex Barber (deceased)
Rex Theodore Barber was born in Culver, Oregon on May 6, 1917. Barber was accepted at Oregon State University and graduated from that University in 1940. In September of that year Barber enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as a private first class, prior to being accepted for flight training in March of 1941. Following graduation with Class 41-H from Mather Field in California in October of 1941, now Lt. Rex Barber was assigned to the 70th Fighter Squadron of the 35th Fighter Group. He ar
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Robbins, Jay
Died : 2001
Jay Robbins (deceased)
Lt. General Jay Robbins who flew with the Fifth Air Force in the Southwest Pacific, rose to command the 8th Fighter Group and finished the war as a quadruple P-38 Ace with 22 air victories. Robbins graduated from Coolidge High School in 1936. He attended Texas A&M University, graduating in 1940 with a BS degree and a commission as second lieutenant through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He entered active USAAC duty at Randolph Field, Texas, in July 1941. He began flying training at Co
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Robert Taylor
£450.00

Quantity:



Yamamoto's Last Flight by Stan Stokes.


Yamamoto's Last Flight by Stan Stokes.

On April 18, 1943, in one of the more interesting, daring, and ultimately controversial missions of WW II, a flight of P-38s under the command of Major John Mitchell, intercepted and destroyed the aircraft carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander in Chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet, and the mastermind of the attack on Pearl Harbor. American code breakers had intercepted and translated a message indicating that Adm. Yamamoto would fly from Rabaul to an airfield on the southern tip of Bouganville on the morning of April 18, 1943. Because of the great distances to be covered during this intercept mission the P-38s would have very limited time over the rendezvous area. Fortunately for the Army Air Force pilots, Yamamoto was noted for his punctuality, and if he departed Rabaul on time the mission might just work. Major Mitchell led his flight of 16 P-38s to the rendezvous, with twelve of his fighters acting as high cover to fend off escorting fighters, while four pilots were design.........


More Text...
Item Code : STK0038Yamamoto's Last Flight by Stan Stokes. - Editions Available
FULL DETAILS
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Artist : Stan Stokes£15 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £35.00

Quantity:
In 1 Pair
View
225 prints from the signed limited edition of 4750 prints, with signature of Stan Stokes and pilot, and a remarque.Image size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)
Barber, Rex

Died : 2001
Colonel Rex Barber (deceased)
Rex Theodore Barber was born in Culver, Oregon on May 6, 1917. Barber was accepted at Oregon State University and graduated from that University in 1940. In September of that year Barber enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as a private first class, prior to being accepted for flight training in March of 1941. Following graduation with Class 41-H from Mather Field in California in October of 1941, now Lt. Rex Barber was assigned to the 70th Fighter Squadron of the 35th Fighter Group. He ar
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Stan Stokes
SOLD
OUT
NOT
AVAILABLE
Limited edition of 100 giclee art prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm)Artist : Stan Stokes£150.00

Quantity:
Prints from the 225 prints from the signed limited edition of 4750 prints, with signature of Stan Stokes and pilot. Image size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)
Barber, Rex

Died : 2001
Colonel Rex Barber (deceased)
Rex Theodore Barber was born in Culver, Oregon on May 6, 1917. Barber was accepted at Oregon State University and graduated from that University in 1940. In September of that year Barber enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as a private first class, prior to being accepted for flight training in March of 1941. Following graduation with Class 41-H from Mather Field in California in October of 1941, now Lt. Rex Barber was assigned to the 70th Fighter Squadron of the 35th Fighter Group. He ar
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Stan Stokes
£25 Off!Now : £125.00

Quantity:
Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)none£400.00

Quantity:


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