Early Life and Family Background
Lewis LaVere Barrett was born on May 6, 1920, in Frankfort, Kansas, the son of D. H. Barrett of Wetmore, Nemaha County, Kansas. He grew up on the family farm, where he worked alongside his father. When he registered for the draft, his card listed his occupation as farming and his father, D. H. Barrett, as both his employer and the contact person who would always know his address. At the time, Lewis was 21 years old and living on R.F.D. 1 in Wetmore, Kansas.
Community and Church Life
Before entering military service, Lewis was an active member of his local community. On January 28, 1943, the Courier Tribune reported that the young people’s Sunday school class at the Oneida Methodist Church, along with their teacher Mrs. L. H. Davis, held a potluck dinner honoring both Lynall Ball and Lewis Barrett, who were preparing to leave for the Army. This gathering reflected the support and recognition of their community as these young men answered the nation’s call to service.
Marriage and Family
In early 1944, Lewis married Blanche Love, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Love of near Wetmore. The couple enjoyed only a brief time together before his overseas deployment. During his training period, Blanche visited him, and entries in Lewis’s diary record his calls to her and her departure after visits. Following his deployment, Blanche remained with her parents while Lewis served abroad.
Military Training and Deployment
Lewis entered the U.S. Army Air Forces and trained as a nose gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber. His diary, titled “Little Lulu”, provides a remarkable firsthand record of his training flights and operational missions.
- On February 2, 1944, he recorded his first flight in their new aircraft during a bombing and gunnery mission at Alamogordo, New Mexico.
- Later that month, his crew traveled from Herrington, Kansas, to West Palm Beach, Florida, then south to Trinidad and Brazil, before crossing the Atlantic to Dakar and Marrakech in Africa. By early March, they arrived in the United Kingdom.
Combat Missions in Europe
From March through August 1944, Lewis and his crew flew numerous missions over occupied Europe and Germany. His diary notes the targets, bomb loads, flight durations, and the ever-present danger of anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters.
- March 24, 1944 – Their first operational mission targeted St. Dizier, France. Despite heavy flak, they hit their target.
- April 9, 1944 – A mission to Tudon Air Field in Germany faced heavy flak, but “Little Lulu” returned without damage.
- April 29, 1944 – Lewis recorded a strike on Berlin with incendiary bombs, noting that fellow crewman Bill Higgins shot down an enemy plane, an ME 109, at 8:20 that morning.
- May 21, 1944 – A mission to Siracourt, France, involved bombing a suspected hospital site with 1,000 lb. bombs, but no flak was encountered.
- July 21, 1944 – The crew struck an airport west of Munich and an engine assembly plant. Lewis recorded relief that they had finally destroyed the target after previous failed attempts.
- August 8, 1944 – His entry describes a successful hit on an oil refinery in Hamburg, where flames shot 4,000 feet into the air, followed by a massive explosion. Later that same day, they bombed an airfield at Castres, France.
These entries reveal the intensity of the missions, the dangers faced, and the resolve of the young airmen.
Missing in Action
On August 12, 1944, Staff Sergeant Lewis L. Barrett was reported missing in action. His wife Blanche received a letter dated August 11 in which he wrote he was going out on a mission the next day. That mission proved to be his last. His aircraft, part of the 8th Air Force, went down over the North Sea.
The Courier Tribune of August 31, 1944, reported the tragic news, noting that his wife had returned to her parents’ home in Wetmore. The community grieved deeply with the Barrett and Love families.
Final Honors and Burial
Lewis Barrett’s status remained unresolved until after the war, when remains from his crew were recovered. On March 27, 1950, the Courier Tribune announced that final honors would be paid to Staff Sergeant Barrett in a group burial at the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Family members from Wetmore, Oneida, Centralia, Topeka, Junction City, and Falls City, as well as relatives serving in the military, attended the solemn ceremony.
National Recognition
In later years, Lewis Barrett was honored with a Presidential Memorial Certificate, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The certificate recognized his “devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.” This recognition, issued to the families of fallen service members, symbolized the enduring gratitude of the nation.
Legacy
Staff Sergeant Lewis LaVere Barrett is remembered as a young man of faith, family, and courage who gave his life in service to his country. His diary offers a vivid account of the perilous missions flown by B-24 crews in 1944, while community records, newspaper reports, and the memorial certificate confirm his sacrifice. His name joins those of other Nemaha County men who did not return from World War II, honored forever in both local memory and national recognition.
Sources
Courier Tribune
28 Jan 1943
page 3
Oneida Methodist Ch8rch
The young peoples Sunday school class and teacher, Mrs. L. H. Davis had a pot luck dinner at the church Sunday, honoring Lynall Ball and Lewis Barrett, who soon will leave for the Army.
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Courier Tribune
1 Nov 1943
page 4
Wetmore
Lewis Barret left saturday for an army camp in Arizona after a short furlough
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Courier Tribune
31 Aug 1944
page 4
Wetmore
Mrs. Lewis Barrett received word form the Government Monday, that her husband S-Sgt. Barrett, was missing in action, since August 12. He was a nose gunner on a bomber. A letter was received by his wife, written the 11th of August, saying he was going out on a mission the next day. His wife was Blanche Love before her marriage and was married early last spring but has been with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas Love, near Wetmore. Lewis is the son of Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Barrett, who live west of town. He was sent to England about two months ago.
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Courier Tribune
27 March 1950
page 1
Honors to War Victim
Sgt. Lewis L. Barrett
Was Member of Plane
Crew-Group Burial This
Monday at a National
Cemetery
Services are still being held for the honored sons that Nemaha county lost in World War II.
At the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, at 1:30 this Monday afternoon, final honors will be paid to Staff Sergeant Lewis L. Barrett, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Barrett of Wetmore.
S/Sgt. Barrett was listed as missing in August of 1944. He was a nose gunner on a B-24 and stationed in England. The plane went down over the North Sea. Remains of the crew were recovered, and the burial at the National cemetery today will be a group burial.
Those who were planning to attend from this area include Mrs. D. H. Barrett and Arthur Barrett, Wetmore; Joseph Barrett, Oneida; Mrs. George Barrett, Centralia; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Cook, Topeka; Mr. and Mrs. Rollin Barrett and sons, Junction City; Clifford Barrett, Falls City. Cpl. George Barrett and Cpl. Raymond Chance will attend from Fort Knox, Kentucky.
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Diary
“LITTLE LULU”
2-2-44 – Our first flight in our new ship. We had a bombing and gunnery mission here in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It was local on our own bombing range.
2-4-44 – Today we came to Herrington, Kansas to have our ship modified, also all new clothing issued. I called up Blanche.
2-13-44 – The boys went up for a “44” check.
2-14-44 – Went up again for “44” check at 2400. Blanche left this morning.
2-15-44 – Today at 1200 left Herrington and came to West Palm Beach, Florida. We got here at 2435. We flew over Tidwell’s home, saw some folks in his yard.
2-18-44 – We left West Palm Beach at 0200 and arrived here at Walker Field, Trinidad at 1400.
2-19-44 – We left Walker Field, Trinidad at 0600 and got here in Belem, Brazil at 1500. Time 9 hrs. 8 min.
2-20-44 – We came from Belem to Fortaleza, Brazil in 5 hrs. They held us off of the field for an hr. Rain.
2-22-44 – We stayed in Fortaleza for 2 days and came to Dakar, Africa. It took us 11 hrs. 20 min. for the trip.
2-23-44 – We left Dakar and came to Tindouf, Africa. It took us 6 hrs. 15 min.
2-26-44 – We left Tindouf today and came to Marrakech, Africa. We took off in a sand storm.
3-5-44 – From Marrakech to Valley Field in Wales, U.K. It took us 10 hrs. 45 min.
3-7-44 – We went up on a test hop and formation.
3-12-44 – Another “44” check.
3-19-44 – Formation cross country from Attlebridge to Shrewsberry and back. Time 8 hrs. 35 min.
3-21-44 – Local formation.
3-23-44 – Local.
3-24-44 – Our first operational mission. We went to St. Dizier, France. 7 hrs. 25 min. Flak was really heavy. No hits. We hit our target. 53° N. 06° Lt. Incds.
3-31-44 – Local flight. High alt. formation.
4-1-44 – Local, inter-sq. cal.
4-5-44 – Today we went to Pas de Calais, France. On a no flak target. We had 12–500 lb. GP bombs. 4 hrs. 35 min.
4-9-44 – Today we went to Tudon Air Field in Ger. There was heavy flak, but our mission was successful. A good hit. No holes in “Little Lulu.” 8 hrs. flight. 500 bombs.
4-10-44 – Today we went to Bourges, France. We had 6 – 1000 lb. GP’s.
4-12-44 – Today we started to Scheufort, Germany but was called back. Aborted.
4-13-44 – Today we went to Lechfield, Germany. It took us 8 hrs. 30 min. We had 53 incendiary bombs, 128 lb. each.
4-18-44 – Our target Brandenburg, Ger. Our bomb load, 53 bombs. 8 hrs. 10 min.
4-24-44 – Today we went to Helfhem, Ger. We had 10 – 500 lb. GP bombs. We hit a six-engine glider base and made a good hit. Light to heavy flak. Our flight 7 hrs. 45 min.
4-25-44 – Today we went to Mannheim, Ger. We couldn’t hit the target. We dropped our bombs in the channel. Flak was light. Our bomb load was 4 – 1000 lb. GP’s and 12 – 128 lb. incd.
4-28-44 – Today’s target was Paderfoyer, Ger. Our bomb load was 10 – 500 lb. GP’s. 8 hrs. 30 min.
4-28-44 – Today we went to Marquise, France. 8 – 1000 lb. GP. Didn’t hit the target.
4-29-44 – Today our target was Berlin. Our bomb load was 52 – 67 lb. inc. We hit our target. Bill Higgins got our first enemy plane today, ME 109 at 0820.
5-2-44 – Brunswick, Ger. Bomb load was 12 – 500 lb. inc.
5-5-44 – Cherbourg, Fr. Ran out of fuel. (Aborted)
5-7-44 – Munster, Ger. 12 – 500 lb. We bombed. PFF. Time 05:35.
5-8-44 – Our target Brunswick, Ger. 10 – 500 lb. bombs. Bombing PFF. 07:00 hrs.
5-21-44 – Siracourt, Fr. Our bomb load 7 – 1000 lb. No flak. Hospital.
7-19-44 – Our target, Kempfen, Ger. Time 07:45. Our load was 52 – 128 lb. inc.
7-20-44 – Target was Eisenach, Ger. Time was 07:30. Load 12 – 500 lb. GP’s.
7-21-44 – Lt. Burt finished today. We hit an airport west of Munich, Ger. Bomb load 2 – 1000 lb. Also an engine assembly plant. Finally got it. Another miss.
8-5-44 – Brunswick (Brunswick), Wagum Air Field. 12 – 500 lb. GP’s was our bomb load. 4 hrs. 40 min. was our time.
8-8-44 – Hamburg, Ger. We hit an oil refinery. Fire shot about 4000 ft. in the air, followed by a large explosion. Our bomb load was 12 – 500 lb. GP’s. This makes my second mission with Lt. Hammer’s crew. A good bunch of gunners.
8-8-44 – The target was Castres, France. An air field they used against our front lines for strafing purpose. Took off at 1000 and landed at 1515. We carried 23 – 250 lb. GP bombs.
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The American Air Museum in Britain has a photograph of one of the air crews that S-Sgt. Lewis L. Barrett served with. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/media/media-6382jpeg
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Registration Document
REGISTRATION CARD
Serial Number: S-74
Order Number: S-196
- Name (Print): Lewis LaVere Barrett
- Place of Residence (Print):
R.F.D. 1, Wetmore, Nemaha, Kansas - Mailing Address: Same
- Telephone: Wetmore 2207
- Age in Years: 21
Date of Birth: May 6, 1920
- Place of Birth: Frankfort, Kansas
- Occupation: Farming
- Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address:
D. H. Barrett, R.F.D. 1, Wetmore, Kansas - Employer’s Name and Address:
D. H. Barrett, R.F.D. 1, Wetmore, Nemaha Co., Kansas - Place of Employment or Business:
R.F.D. 1, Wetmore, Nemaha, Kansas
I affirm that I have verified above answers and that they are true.
(Registrant’s signature): Lewis Barrett
___________________
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Presidential honor certificate
The United States of America
honors the memory of
LEWIS L. BARRETT
This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Lyndon B. Johnson
President of the United States