William F. Barthel, Sr., Rayville, LA.

Marvin Demanzuk, Radar, P-2 notified us of the passing of his friend and comrade Capt William Farris Barthel, Navigator, Crew 13. Barthel originally served on Crew 1 - Capt Allan Miller's crew as Navigator; He was one of five men who parachuted to safety on 28 November 1944. There were 11 men and 4 passengers aboard on the stateside training mission.

Bill Barthel went on to serve in combat with Crew 13. On 26 July 1945 on the Nagoya Mission - Barthel and his crew's plane was hit by a 120mm shell; Barthel (and his crew, including Group CO then Colonel George Mundy, flying with the crew as Command Pilot) bailed out and were rescued by the U.S.S. Pintado.

Capt Barthel's obituary can be viewed by clicking here