Hailing from southeastern Colorado, Paul Barnes had rarely flown before he entered the Army Air Corps at age 22, just when World War II was heating up. Little did he know that the skies were going to lead him to an adventure that almost cost him his life.
Paul served on a flight team that delivered freight in the China-Burma-India theater. One morning after unloading cargo and returning to base, the plane’s engines failed. As they descended from the clouds, the crew hastily strapped on their parachutes and bailed into uncharted territory. Paul jumped from the plane, noting where the other parachutes were landing. He knew the crew should get together as quickly as possible. Paul watched as the plane made a lazy circle and slammed into a mountain, exploding on impact.
Paul landed in a gully. His kit was equipped with a machete, which came in handy as he began to hack through tall brush. However, Paul quickly realized he wasn’t alone. Two dozen natives surrounded him, also wielding machetes. Using sign language, Paul was relieved to learn that the tribe wasn’t interested in him, but in the yards and yards of cloth that was his parachute. “They offered me a drink from a bamboo container,” laughed Paul. “I thought it best to decline.”
With Paul in tow, the group soon located the rest of the plane’s crew. The team spent the night at the tribal village, not knowing what was to become of them. The Americans learned that their hosts were headhunters, although only interested in a rival tribe with whom they had been feuding. “That was a huge relief,” Paul chuckled.
The next day, the group was back on the trail. After a week following the tribesmen through the jungle, they arrived at an American Early Warning Station operated by two sergeants, one of whom spoke the Naga language. He told the natives they would be rewarded for the return of the servicemen with a salt drop.
Before leaving the region, Paul picked up a couple of spears and a shield crafted by the native people. Tap on Paul’s door and you can examine the mementoes displayed on Paul’s wall.
What came next for Paul? Five years after his discharge, Paul landed at Continental Airlines, eventually flying the fleet’s largest aircraft. Paul retired after 32 years as a commercial pilot.
At 96 years young, we celebrate Paul and his fellow U.S. veterans who have served our country valiantly. Take a moment to honor all of Springbrooke’s 24 veterans during our Veterans Day celebration on November 6 at 2:30 in the Springbrooke Living Room. An American Legion commander will be joining us for a short ceremony, remembrances and refreshments.