Barner Franklin Clemens

Military

Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying in B-24 Liberator 42-40316. His DFC and PH were awarded for the Ploesti raid.



Awards: DFC, PH, ACM, EAME Campaign Medal with one campaign star, WWII Victory Medal

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17061565 / O-728554
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32271998
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Snake Eyes
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Mifflintown, PA 8 September 1921 Son of Livena Clemens.

Enlisted

Harrisburg, PA 8 August 1942 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Died

3 February 1974

Buried

Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens New Port Richey, Pasco County, FL 6 February 1974 Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens New Port Richey, Pasco County, Florida PLOT Garden of Meditation

Based

Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
Contributordecwriter
Changes
Sources

Updated connections for Blevins Crew.

Date
Contributordecwriter
Changes
Sources

Added awards, ASN and bio data. No AM files are available at NARA.
Of note, his ASN was entered in error against the DSC citation for Ernest Victor Martin and Clemens ASN denotes Martin's ASN on his DFC file. Both served on Lt Hilary M. Blevins crew.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33132657/barner-f-clemens

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Changes