Major Clarence L. Barnhart
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and U.S. Air Force (USAF)

Background
Clarence Lester Barnhart was born June 10, 1904 to parents William E. Barnhart and Etta Sarah (née) Brandt Barnhart in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. He completed two years of high school. In 1934 he married Mary Virginia “Ginny” (née) Auman Barnhart. In 1938 the couple had their first and only child, Rodger L. Barnhart while stationed at Fort Monroe in Virginia.

On August 21, 1925 enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard in Pennsylvania and served until November 15, 1926. On April 10, 1932 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) with serial number 06770870. Between July 1932 to June 1933 attended Air Corps technical school at Chanute Field in Illinois and graduated as a communication specialist. During January 1934 assigned to units flying Air Mail. During July 1934 assigned to the first Alaskan flight.

Between January 1935 to March 1935 attended non-commissioned officer school at Langley Field. Between April 1935 to October 1935 attended communication inspectors school at Fort Munroe in Virginia and graduated as a communication inspector. Afterwards, worked as a communication inspector until March 1938. Next, assigned to a bombardment squadron as a communication chief. Between April 1940 until June 1940 attended crypt-analysis school and graduated as a crypto analyst then assigned to a bombardment group. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).

Wartime History
At the start of the Pacific War, had the rank of Master Sergeant and was assigned as a communication chief for 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG) at Bangor Field in Maine. During January 1942 departs overseas bound for Australia. During March 1942 arrives Sydney and is ordered to begin a communication school to train American, Dutch and Australia personnel. On May 10, 1943 when commissioned as an officer with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant at Port Moresby. Assigned to the 63rd Bombardment Squadron "Sea Hawks" (63rd BS) as a communication and intelligence officer until August 1943 when promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Next, assigned to the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG) as a communication and intelligence officer until July 1944 when promoted to the rank of Captain. and became a communication officer with Bomber Command until February 1945 when he returned to the United States.

In May 1945 began communication and training officer at Selfridge Field in Michigan until the end of World War II. During this assignment, his principal responsibility was training French Air officers in communication and security until July 1946.

Postwar
Served at Selfridge Airfield in Michigan and his principal duty was training French Air officers.

On September 18, 1947 became part of U.S. Air Force (USAF) with serial number A0888511. Starting in September 1947 attended intelligence evaluation and interrogation school for four months.

Between May 1947 to October 1949 served as operational officer for security squadron.

Starting in April 1949 served as an analyst of foreign language intercepts for three months.

Between October 1949 until September 1951 served as commanding officer, security service detachment at Weisbaden in West Germany.

During September 1951 began five months of staff officer training course.

In June 1952 attended two months of familiarization course for commanders on military justice and court martial procedures. Meanwhile, he took a correspondence course at Cleveland Institute of Electronics.

His final duty was assignment to Headquarters, 36th Communications Security Squadron, USAF Security Service at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, TX. On July 31, 1954 he retired with the rank of Major.

Memorials
Barnhart died December 6, 1983 at age 79. He is buried at Norland Cemetery in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Relatives
Rodger Lee Barnhart (son, joined USAF and retired as a Lt. Col and servedin Vietnam 1970-71, died 2017)
Chris L. Barnhart (grandson)

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Clarence L. Barnhart
USAF Employment Record, Question 14:B September 1951 to August 1954 (Clarence L. Barnhart)
USAF Headquarters, United States Air Force Security Service - Retirement of Major Clarence L. Barnhart July 23, 1954
FindAGrave - MAJ Clarence Lester Barnhart (grave photos)
Ken's Men Against The Empire The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II Volume I: Prewar to October 1943 The B-17 Era (2020) pages 194 (group photo), 395 (index Barnhart)
Ken’s Men Against The Empire - The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II - Volume II: October 1943 to 1945 B-24 Era (2019) pages 124 (group photo), 440 (index Barnhart)

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