DAR sponsors veteran for flight

Honor Flight Committee members from left to right: Wendy Malone, Ann Ramirez, WWII veteran Warren Barnts, D.N. Chapter Regent Katie Gavin and Christine Long. Submitted

Warren Barnts flew out of San Francisco on a non-stop flight on June 16.

Barnts has a distinguished World War II service record. At the age of 18, Warren Barnts enlisted in the United States Army. He volunteered to go to aviation school which placed him in an aircraft crew for B-17s.

On May 6, 1944, the United States Army Air Corps sent Warren Barnts’ B-17 crew to the 8th Air Force in Molesworth, England. One month later on June 6, 1944, the invasion of Normandy began. Mr. Barnts flew runs over Omaha Beach during the invasion on D-Day.

Barnts’ aircraft flew a total of 31 combat missions during World War II, carrying out strategic bombing of enemy targets in France, the Low Countries and Germany and engaging in air-to-air fighter combat against enemy aircraft until the German defeat in May 1945.  

Barnts received the Distinguished Service Cross on September 1944.

On June 10, family, friends, Del Norte Chapter DAR Members and donators gathered to wish Barnts a wonderful and safe trip to Washington, D.C. The Nathan B. Bruckenthal Division Sea Cadets posted the United States Colors on behalf of Barnts during the ceremony.

Del Norte Chapter Regent Katie Gavin said the Del Norte Chapter was proud to be able to sponsor Barnts to see the World War II Memorial that represents the gratitude that his country has bestowed on him and all other World War II Veterans for their sacrifices. 

The DAR is a non-profit, non- political affiliated Women’s Lineage Society that promotes the preservation of American history, education and patriotism.

The chapter also thanks the many businesses and individuals that donated to help make this possible.