Brig. Gen. Jerome Rash Barnes Jr.

1931 - 2015

On March 31, God called home one of his working soldiers, Brigadier General Jerome Rash Barnes, Jr., born Dec. 31, 1931.
The life of General Barnes was that of a commitment to his country, friends, and family. He is most remembered by his fellow soldiers and life in retirement in Bluewater Bay since 1984. He is survived by his loving and dedicated caring wife, Nelda. His son by a previous marriage, Robert Barnes, resides in Atlanta. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerome Sr. and Daisy; and by two sisters, Goldie and Daisy Barnes. He has a loving sister, Bettie Harrison, who lives in California, who has been a constant support for Jerome and Nelda during his illness. Additional family members included step-children, Patrick, Jennifer and Kevin Keefe, Nick, Michelle, and Aria Laundry. The following is an amazing reminiscence of Jerome's career documented by the U.S. Air Force.
General Barnes was born in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 1931, raised in Hollywood, Fla., and graduated from South Broward High School in 1949. He received a baccalaureate degree in music education from the University of Miami in 1953; and upon graduation from the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 1967, he concurrently earned a Master of Science degree in public administration from The George Washington University. He is also a graduate of the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., and attended the Advanced Management program at Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in August 1953 through the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. He immediately entered flying training and received his wings at Bryan Air Force Base, Texas, in 1954. The first 12 years of his career were spent exclusively in flying operations at squadron and wing level. He flew F-86s at Royal Air Force Station Manston, England, and B-52s at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and Glasgow Air Force Base, Mont.
Following graduation from the Air Command and Staff College in August 1967, General Barnes was assigned to the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., for upgrade training in F-4 Phantoms. In March 1968 he left for the Republic of Vietnam, where he served as flight commander in the 557th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base. During this tour of duty, he logged more than 400 hours of combat time while flying 256 missions, 43 over North Vietnam.
In April 1969 he was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, with duty at the Military Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, in the Officer Management Division.
General Barnes completed the National War College in June 1972 and was assigned as deputy commander for operations for the 2nd Bombardment Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and in March 1973 he became vice commander of the wing.
From May to December 1973, General Barnes served on temporary duty as vice commander of the 72nd Strategic Wing (Provisional) at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. He led the last B-52 strike mission into Southeast Asia Aug. 15, 1973. Following this assignment General Barnes returned to his duties with the 2nd Bombardment Wing.
In February 1975 he took command of the 305th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom Air Force Base, Ind. He remained there until June 1976 when he returned to Barksdale as commander of the 2nd Bombardment Wing. Concurrent with this assignment General Barnes attended the Advanced Management program at Carnegie-Mellon University.
Assigned to Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., in June 1977, General Barnes served as the deputy chief of staff for personnel. He was named commander of SAC's 7th Air Division, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in July 1978. He assumed his present duties in June 1979.
The General was a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal.
He enjoyed golfing sporting a four handicap, started the Bluewater Bay Men's Golf Association over 30 years ago, President of Flight Captains (DAEDALIONS), taught at Troy University after retirement for 20 years, Officer of First National Bank, volunteer at Air Force Armament Museum, Grand Mason in the steps of his father for which he was most proud of.
He played the trumpet in college, and also playing the Star Spangled Banner on the putting green at Bluewater. He also played the saxophone, flute, violin, and piano. In commemoration, a First Chair Trumpet Memorial has been dedicated for the Northwest Symphony Orchestra.
Final memorial arrangements are yet to be completed, but will include a memorial at Eglin Air Force Base with Jerome's earthly resting place is scheduled at Arlington National Cemetery later this spring.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, at Eglin (P.O. Box 2007, Eglin AFB, FL, 32542, 850-259-4956), and to the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, General Jerome Barnes First Chair Trumpet Fund (Northwest Florida State College, NFSO, 100 College Boulevard, Niceville, FL 32578.

Update:
Interment will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 3pm in Arlington National Cemetery.