Abstract William Frederick "Bill" Barns (1920-1995) joined the United States Air Force in 1942 and flew in the European Theater during World War II. After the war, Barns served in the USAF in several capacities until his retirement in 1966 when he went to work in the private sector, including for Garrett Corporation. The collection contains a broad array of textual materials as well as photographs and digital images related to his military and professional careers.

Contents of the Collection The collection contains a single navigational chart printed October 1944 and used by the United States Army Air Forces, 505th Bombardment Group during World War II. The top of the chart is printed as "AAF Special Plotting Chart, Chart No. S-501, Restricted." There are plotting notations done in pencil with various markings, presumably to aid the navigator. On the front of the chart is also a note that reads "Mission #22, Osaka, Japan, June 1, 1945, Crew 83-10, 505th Bomb Group." The front of...