Daniel Spaulding Barnes

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres Chacon on August 22, 2004:

Daniel Spaulding Barnes Born September 1928 - Died August 9, 2000 Daniel Spaulding "Dan" Barnes was born in California on 25 September 1928 but was appointed to West Point from the 4th Congressional District of Nebraska. His West Point classmates recall: "Dan belongs to that rare class of cadets known as true hives. Whenever Dan'l found studying boring he would rest his eyes in order to obtain a fresh outlook. He didn't always drag pro but his dates did. Gospo's capacity for fun and good spirits was unparalleled. His affable nature and native intelligence should practically insure his success as a throttle jockey in the Air Force." During his cadet days Dan, aka Gospo, went out for Boxing plebe year, was with the Skeet Club cow year, and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. On graduation Dan went in the Air Force and after pilot training reported to the 525 Fighter Bomber Squadron in Europe where he served from 1952 to 1955. Returning to stateside Dan went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts and earned a Master of Science degree in 1955. Next he was named to the Staff & Faculty at United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado and served from 1959 to 1963. In 1963 he was assigned to the Cambridge Research Laboratory where he served until 1967. Then Dan went to the 1st Air Commando Fighter Squadron in Thailand where he served from 1967 to 1968 and was decorated with the Silver Star for distinguished gallantry in action; four Distinguished Flying Crosses for distinguished heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight; the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy; and 11 Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight on completion of his tour. Dan's last military assignment was with the Air Force Satellite Control Facility where he served until 1973 when he retired from the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel. On retirement Dan accepted a position with the General Electric Company as an engineer and served until 1993 when he went with Martin Marietta also as an engineer. Dan made his home in Rye, New York. The November 1997 Assembly notes, "Dan Barnes spends 3 days a week in Philadelphia designing software for Lockheed. In his spare time he flies sailplanes. He became a widower 7 years ago and moved to Rye, NY to be near daughter Caroline and her two young sons. Daughter Melissa recently graduated from Yale Business School." Dan succumbed to cancer on August 9, 2000. Click on Air Force Values to understand fly boys. ufa

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