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1st Lt LaTrobe M. Barnitz graduated from John Harris High School where he was class president. He attended Gettysburg College.

He enlisted in September 1942.

Unit history--The Saga: 390 AAA AW BN (S.P) by Captain David B. Scott, 1945.
Lt. Barnitz of B Btry, 2nd platoon, was killed in an ambush, along with 6 of his men, by SS units just north of Hanau, Germany.
After Action Report, May 2, 1945:
(4) 020615 April 1945: 2nd platoon Baker Battery, while traveling in convoy from Vonhausen to Waldenberg, Germany, was fired upon from both sides of road with small arms and grenades by approximately 200 enemy foot soldiers at N-065885. The enemy, counter-attacking from southeast, recaptured the town of Wittgenborn at 0500, then proceeded northwest towards Waldenburg, being intercepted by our cavalry southeast of Waldenberg. The enemy then infiltrated to west, covering road in woods, which 2nd Platoon Baker Battery was approaching. The initial burst of enemy fire from woods adjoining each side of road, by machine pistols and other small arms, killed one officer and two enlisted men in jeep leading the convoy and two cannoneers in the first M16. Two sections immediately opened fire on each side of road, temporarily stemming the attack. After initial fire, one M15 was sent back to report situation to Infantry, located vicinity Vonhausen. All other vehicles except M-3 and jeep withdrew. After withdrawing a short distance, two M16s returned to scene of action, accompanied by patrols in woods on each side of road. By firing on each side of road they advanced, this group was able to pick up two wounded enlisted men and force the enemy remaining in the area to disperse.

Lt Barnitz was killed by a gunshot wound in the left chest.

He was initially buried at the U.S. Military Cemetery at Butzbach, Germany, on 6 April 1945. Later, he was evacuated to Margraten where he was first buried in a temporary grave on 24 August 1945.

He was disinterred on 23 August 1948 and his remains were prepared and placed in a casket on 24 August 1948. He was given his final resting place on 23 December 1948.