Shot down 22 December 1943 in B-24 #427555, 'Lizzie,' on the mission to Osnabruck. Killed in Action (KIA). Under heavy attack from fighters, after bombs away, a 20mm shell went into the nose of the bomber, exploding in Barks' stomach and killing him. Fire broke out in the cockpit and more damage was done. A rocket went through both rudders. Once the crippled bomber was over water, the decision was made to jettison everything that would come loose. In making a difficult decision, the body of Barks was also removed from the plane by his best friend and former classmate, Lt. Roy D. Stahl, the Bombardier. The plane, piloted by Lt. Glenn Jorgensen, crash landed at Manston.

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