Lonnie Ortega Aviation Art

Lt. Col. John W. Mitchell (11.00)

339th F.S./347th F.G./15th F.G.

 L. Col. John W. Mitchell, from San Antonio, Texas, first served with the 13th Air Force where he commanded the 339th. When the decision was made to try and get Admiral Yamamoto, it was Mitchell, the CO of the only P-38 unit on Guadalcanal, who had the job of planning the details of the missions. He led the mission also and it was a total success. 6 of his victories were scored while with the 339th. During his second tour, he was assigned to the 15th F.G. flying P-51’s out of Iwo Jima. During this tour he added 5 victories to his total.

1st Lt. Rex T. Barber

339th FS/347th FG (5.00)

1st Lt. Rex T. Barber was born 6 May, 1917 at Culver, Oregon. His first assignment was to the 35th Fighter Group Hamilton A.F.B., California and further assigned to the 70th Fighter Squadron. The 70th Fighter Squadron sailed from San Francisco to the Fiji Islands, arriving 12 January 1942. The squadron was sent to Guadalcanal December 1942 and operated from fighter strip no. 2 (flying first P-39's and P-38's). Barber was a principal participant in the "Yamamoto Mission", April 19, 1943 Over Bouganville Islands. There has been much doubt, however , as to whether Lanphier or Barber actually shot down Yamamoto's plane.