George Barr
A strong contender for the title of Ashland’s greatest war hero, Captain George Barr served as navigator on the 16th and final aircraft to take off on the famed Doolittle Raid in the Second World War.
George during his time as a Northland College Basketball star
Northland College Archives
Ashland in 1939, as George would have known it
Ashland Historical Society
The USS Arizona burns after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
US National Archives
Barr as an Aviation Cadet in the US Army Air Force
Northland College Archives
Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle before the war
US National Archives
B25 Mitchell bombers under guard at the Mid Continent Airlines facility in Minneapolis
Tom Norrbohm image via B-25History.org
A B25 during training for the Doolittle Raid at Eglin Field, Florida
US Air Force
Doolittle’s B25s lashed to the deck of the USS Hornet
US National Archives
Barr’s aircraft on the Hornet, its landing gear chocked against the aftermost edge of the flight deck and its fuselage projecting from the rear of the carrier
US National Archives
Doolittle speaks with Admiral Mitscher as his men watch. George is visible in the group, his face obscured. He is standing at the rear on the left hand side, only his forehead is visible.
US National Archives
The crew of Aircraft No.16, Bat Out of Hell. From left to right, George Barr - Navigator, William Farrow - Pilot, Harold Spatz - Engineer Gunner, Robert Hite - Copilot, Jacob DeShazer - Bombardier
US National Archives
A map signed by all the Raiders before they left the Hornet. George’s signature can be seen in the lower right, just below the circle
US National Archives
The Yokosuka Naval Yards as seen from a Doolittle bomber
US National Archives
Barr photographed with a Japanese soldier shortly after his capture
Japanese Army
Barr aboard a Japanese transport aircraft en-route to his “trial” in Japan
Imperial Japanese Army
The captured Raiders are photographed under Kempeitei guard. George is standing at the right end of the line of prisoners
US Air Force
