Memorial

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Bernard Barab attended college.

He joined the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Trenton, New Jersey on 23 January 1942.

Statement form Capt Fred R. Haviland Jr., who flew in the same mission: "On 26 November 1944, I was leading Custard Yellow Flight out of Germany at 25.000 feet. Custard Yellow 2 called that we lose some altitude as his engine was exceedingly rough at that altitude. I started a descent of 700 feet per minute. Lt Kelley, flying Yellow 4 evidently did not hear this plan on the radio and was left somewhat behind by Yellow 1, 2 and 4.

When we were about 20,000 feet, Lieutenant Kelley dove down to catch us and picked up greater speed than we had. In order to dissipate this speed, Lt Kelly started fish-tailing and sliding from side to side in a series of mild wing-over's. We were heading 275 degrees and the sun was at about 10 o'clock, slightly high to us.

It is my opinion that the sun blinded Lieutenant Kelley and kept him from seeing his element leader, Lt Barab. I was watching Lt Kelley's manoeuvres and saw him coming quite close to Lt Barab. I yelled for Lt Barab to break left, but was too late and Lt Kelley collided with Lt Barab, who apparently never saw Lt Kelley.

Lt Kelley 's ship hit the other one from the right and below. The collision severed Lt Barab's right wing at the guns and tore the right-hand horizontal stabilizer off. Lt Kelley's left wing came off at the root and the entire tail section was broken off at the start. Both ships started uncontrollable spins. I should hesitate however, to state that either or both of these men were killed as they could have bailed out without my seeing them."