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A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname

Notes for Eugene Everett BARNUM

He was a fighter pilot during WWII, serving with the 56th Fighter Group, 61st Fighter Squadron, 8th Air Force. He was killed in action (KIA) on 2 Dec 1944 at Dorf-Gill, Giessen, Germany as the result of a collision in P-47 #4419739.

Flying P-47 Thunderbolts throughout their time stationed in England, the 56th Fighter Group, known as "the Wolfpack", had more ace pilots than any other Eighth Air Force Fighter Group. The Group also destroyed more enemy aircraft in air combat than any other.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY FIRST FIGHTER SQUADRON
AAF STATION F-365, APO #617
U. S. ARMY
Â
Personal Combat Report
VIII Fighter Command F.O No. 170
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Â
1st Lt. Eugene E.BarnumÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â KeyworthWhite Three
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Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â a. Combat
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â b. 5 November, 1943
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â c. 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Group
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â d. 1340 hrs
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â e. South of Rheine
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â f. Hazy - no cloud formation
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â g. 1 FW-190
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â h. 1 FW-190 destroyed
i.Â Â I was flying White 3 in Major Gabreski's flight. Our outfit had made r/v with the bombers and had been with them for about ten minutes when 20+ e/a were sighted coming in on the bombers at 11 o'clock to them at 23,000 feet. At this time we were south of Rheine. Our flight went in to attack and the FW-190's turned from us and started a gradual climb away from the bombers and from our flight. Major Gabreski closed on one of the e/a from the rear and fired. I saw strikes on the e/a and it flipped, started down and one aileron flew off. A short time later I saw the pilot bail out and his chute open.
Â Â Â Â I confirm Major Gabreski's claim of one FW-190 destroyed.
Â Â Â Â Major Gabreski attacked a second FW-190 immediately again from the tail and I followed. The FW-190 turned left and started into a slight dive. We followed him and Major Gabreski opened fire at about 150-175 yards. The e/a had sighted him and broke into the attack in a climbing turn which the Major could not follow. I was farther back and was able to follow the FW-190 through this climbing turn. At about 21,000 feet and 175 yards range I fired a short burst, the FW-190 flipped on its back and went straight down. I followed and tired again. At 13,000 feet I recovered,came back up and joined Captain Lambs flight, with whom I came home.
Â Â Â Â Major Gabreski, said he saw the e/a hit the ground and explode.
Â Â Â Â I claim one FW-190 destroyed.
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Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â EUGENE E. BARNUM,
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1st Lt., Air Corps
Â
See Personal Combat Report of Major Francis S. Gabreski.
Â
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â DECLASSIFIED
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â DODDir. 52009, Sept. 27, 1958
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NCWNby __E7__ date__7-23-71__

From 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-001 to 44-30910), http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_1.html: "19739 (61st FS, 56th FG, 8th AF) collided in midair with P-47D 42-28741 and crashed 1-1/2 km N of Dorf-Gill, Giessen, Germany Dec 2, 1944. MACR 10801. Pilot killed."
He entered the service from New York.

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