A Bill
For the Relief of Rex T. Barber (Deceased)
Be it enacted by Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION I, CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) The successful interception and destruction on April 18, 1943 of the Japanese bomber carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the Commander in Chief of the Combined Japanese Fleet and architect of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor was a mission exemplifying a level of skill and courage rarely seen in the annals of war.
(2) The loss to the Empire of Japan of its pre-eminent naval strategist and its greatest contemporary naval and military leader dealt a devastating blow to Japanese morale and fighting spirit at a most critical time in the war.
(3) The successful destruction of the Japanese bomber carrying Admiral Yamamoto was solely due to the extraordinary heroism and intrepidity of then First Lieutenant Rex T. Barber.
(4) In early April, 1943, the United States intercepted coded Japanese message traffic which indicated that Admiral Yamamoto would be traveling by air to Bougainville Island on April 18, 1943.
(5) The assignment was issued to the 339th Fighter Squadron of the South Pacific Air Forces in which Lieutenant Barber was a pilot, to intercept and destroy the aircraft carrying Admiral Yamamoto “at all costs”.
(6) Lieutenant Barber flew one of sixteen P-38 fighter aircraft, which departed Guadalcanal in the early morning of April 18, 1943 and was one of four aircraft designated to attack and destroy the anticipated Japanese aircraft.
(7) After flying a distance of more than 400 miles at an elevation of only 50 feet over water, two Japanese Betty bombers and six Zero fighter escort aircraft were spotted by Lieutenant Barber’s unit.
(8) After receiving the command to attack, Lieutenant Barber broke off as wingman for another P-38 and independently and alone bore in on the lead Japanese bomber.
(9) Despite vicious and withering fire by Japanese Zero fighter aircraft immediately behind him and with no concern for his personal safety, Lieutenant Barber intentionally slowed his aircraft and doggedly attacked the Japanese bomber with his guns and cannon, and did not stop until the severely damaged aircraft crashed into the jungle below.
(10) Uncertain as to which of two bomber aircraft carried Admiral Yamamoto, Lieutenant Barber then turned his attention to the second Japanese bomber, which was some distance away and under attack by another P-38.
(11) Although damaged somewhat, the second bomber continued to fly toward its objective.
(12) Lieutenant Barber then attacked the second bomber, despite the fact that several Japanese fighter aircraft were attacking Lieutenant Barber’s P-38 relentlessly.
(13) During his attack on the second bomber, Lieutenant Barber bore in so closely to his target that, as he fired his guns and cannon, pieces of the bomber flew off and struck Barber’s aircraft, causing great damage to the power delivery system.
(14) Again, Lieutenant Barber did not cease his attack until the second bomber was destroyed as it crashed into the ocean below.
(15) Lieutenant Barber then broke off his attack and eluded several attacking Japanese Zero fighters as he escaped to fly the 400 miles back to Guadalcanal.
(16) Upon his return to Guadalcanal, it was discovered that Lieutenant Barber’s aircraft had 104 holes in it, mostly the result of Japanese fighter aircraft gunnery.
(17) Although recommended for the Medal of Honor with favorable endorsements up to Commander South Pacific Forces, the Medal was not awarded to Lieutenant Barber, in part due to secrecy surrounding the mission.
(18) Rex T. Barber served with distinction until his retirement as a Colonel in the United States Air Force, and passed away in Terrebonne, Oregon on July 26, 2001.
SECTION II, AWARD OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR (POSTHUMOUSLY) TO
REX T. BARBER
Notwithstanding the time limitations of section 3744(b) of Title 10, United States Code, the President shall award a medal of honor posthumously to Rex T. Barber late of Terrebonne, Oregon for his outstanding heroism, skill, gallantry and intrepidity on April 18. 1943 at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in accordance with the recommendation of his then commanding officer pursuant to section 3741 of such title for his outstanding service as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy in connection with an intercept mission to attack Admiral Yamamoto, over enemy-occupied Bougainville Island on 18 April 1943. Lt Barber, after flying a distance of more than 400 miles at an elevation of only 50 feet over water, two Japanese Betty bombers and six Zero fighter escort aircraft were spotted by Lieutenant Barber’s unit. After receiving the command to attack, Lieutenant Barber broke off as wingman for another P-38 and independently and alone bore in on the lead Japanese bomber. Despite vicious and withering fire by Japanese Zero fighter aircraft immediately behind him and with no concern for his personal safety, Lieutenant Barber intentionally slowed his aircraft and doggedly attacked the Japanese bomber with his guns and cannon, and did not stop until the severely damaged aircraft crashed into the jungle below. Uncertain as to which of two bomber aircraft carried Admiral Yamamoto, Lieutenant Barber then turned his attention to the second Japanese bomber, which was some distance away and under attack by another P-38. Although damaged somewhat, the second bomber continued to fly toward its objective. Lieutenant Barber then attacked the second bomber, despite the fact that several Japanese fighter aircraft were attacking Lieutenant Barber’s P-38 relentlessly. During his attack on the second bomber, Lieutenant Barber bore in so closely to his target that, as he fired his guns and cannon, pieces of the bomber flew off and struck Barber’s aircraft, causing great damage to the power delivery system. Again, Lieutenant Barber did not cease his attack until the second bomber was destroyed as it crashed into the ocean below. Lieutenant Barber then broke off his attack and eluded several attacking Japanese Zero fighters as he escaped to fly the 400 miles back to Guadalcanal. Upon his return to Guadalcanal, it was discovered that Lieutenant Barber’s aircraft had 104 holes in it. Lt Barber’s unsurpassed courage and heroism were responsible for the death of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and thus contributed greatly to the shortening of the war in the Pacific. Lt Barber set an example of courage and leadership in keeping with the highest traditions of the US military.
