A static map displaying the WW2 combat flights piloted by Richard A. Barth. Imagery and cartographic effects courtesy of Earthstar Geographics and Esri.
According to an enlistment record on the National Archives and Records Administration website, Richard A. Barth was born in Florida in 1921 with Sarasota County listed as his residence at enlistment. He had completed four years of high school, was single without dependents, and listed sales clerk as an occupation.
He enlisted in the Air Corps on September 6, 1942 and became a Flying Sergeant with class 42-H. He was commissioned as an officer some time later, perhaps upon joining a unit. He was assigned to the 501st Bomb Squadron, 345th Bomb Group and was one of the original cadre that shipped out to the South West Pacific Area in 1943.
I found records for forty-six flights listing him as a pilot during the period from July 1943 through May 1944. He then returned to the US.
