Storekeeper 3c Otis Belton Barnes served on the U.S.S. Pecos (AO6). He reported missing in action on March 1, 1942 and was listed as dead on 15 December 1945. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery. Manila, Philippines.
He was the son of William Jennings Bryan Barnes and Mary Lou Stubblefield.
The Chattanooga Daily Times, 30 December 1945
Reported missing since March 1, 1942, when his ship, the USS Pecos was sunk by enemy bombers south of Java, Otis B. Barnes, SK3C, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Mason, is now presumed death, the Navy Department announces yesterday. A survivor of the sinking of the USS Langley a few days earlier, Barnes was among the men of the Langley transferred to the Peco only hours before the enemy attack by carrier-based planes sank the ship. It was en route to Freemantle, Australia, Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal informed Barnes’ sister, Mrs. Mary Lou Mason, Route , Chattanooga. According to the navy secretary, the USS Pecos sent out a distress call which was picked up by the USS Whipple, which rescued 220 of the survivors floating in a mass of debris and oil. While the rescue was in progress, Forrestal continued, an enemy submarine detected in the vicinity was attacked with depth charges and crews from the Whipple continued to search the area for some time before proceeding to Freemantle. “In view of the length of time that has now elapsed,” Forrestal added, “since your brother was officially determined to be missing in action, because of the strong probability that he lost his life in the bombing and sinking of the USS Pecos, and in view of the fact that his name has not appeared on any lists or report of personnel liberated from Japanese prisoner of war camps, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that he is dead. I know what little solace the formal and written word can help to meet the burden of your loss. *** It is hoped that you may find some comfort in the thought that your son gave his life for his country, upholding the highest traditions of the navy.”
Navy Storekeeper Barnes is survived by his parents, three sisters, Mrs. Mason, Miss Beatrice Barnes, Washington D.C., and Mrs. Paul Bratcher, Chattanooga.
- Rank: Storekeeper Third Class
- Date of birth: 10 November 1920
- Date of death: 15 December 1945
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: U.S.S. Pecos (AO6)
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XI, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Otis B. Barnes
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