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Arthur Burton Barrows

Major Arthur B. Barrows, formerly of the USS St. Louis, was lost on a transport flight
en route from Kodiak, Alaska to Seattle, Washington, on 16 August 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
O-5306

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains not recovered.

Pursuit Category

The DPAA has not publicized this information.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

January 8, 1915
at Columbus, OH

Parents

William Morton Barrows
Eleanor Barrows

Education

North High School (1932)
University of Ohio (1936)

Occupation & Employer

Professional Marine

Service Life

Entered Service

July 6, 1936 (officer)
at Columbus, OH

Home Of Record

3635 Lime Avenue,
Long Beach, CA

Next Of Kin

Wife, Mrs. Lois (Robison) Barrows

Military Specialty

Marine Detachment CO

Primary Unit

USS St. Louis

Campaigns Served

Pearl Harbor

Individual Decorations

Additional Service Details

Barrows was active in ROTC and the Pershing Rifles, and served 11 months as an enlisted man in the US Army.

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

On 16 August 1942, Captain Arthur Barrows – recently detached as the CO of the Marines aboard light cruiser USS St. Louis – boarded a Navy R4D-1 transport at Kodiak, Alaska. The plane was bound for Seattle, where Barrows would spend a few days with his wife before reporting to San Francisco.

The weather that day was, in the words of the pilots, “stinkin'” – with visibility so poor that the end of the Kodiak runway was barely visible on takeoff. Three planes departed in loose formation and flew on instruments over the Gulf of Alaska towards Annette Island. Conditions at Annette were too poor to land, so the flight diverted to Yakutat and head inland, hoping for a clear landing site.

The lead plane – R4D-1 01989, piloted by LTCDR Jerome Sparboe – was last seen during a break in the weather over the southern tip of the Yakutat mountains. Storm-like conditions separated the planes, cutting off radio communications and depositing heavy ice on the wings. One transport landed safely in Whitehorse; the other at Watson Lake. Sparboe’s plane never arrived. Fourteen officers – including Barrows – were reported missing.

Despite intense searches, no trace of the wreckage could be located. Barrows was promoted to major while in missing status; he was ultimately declared dead on 17 August 1943.

Burial Information or Disposition

Unknown; the wreck of the R4D-1 has never been found.

Next Of Kin Address

Address of wife, Mrs. Lois R. Barrows.

Location Of Loss

The plane carrying Arthur Barrows was last contacted near Yakutat, Alaska.

Known crew and passengers aboard R4D-1 01989

NameRankPosition on PlanePrevious StationNext Of Kin
Sparboe, Jerome HartvigLTCDRPilotVR-2Mother, Gertrude Sparboe
Barber, Charles EdmundACRMAircrewVR-2Wife, Grace Barber
Scott, Henry AlbertRadio ElectricianAircrewVR-2Wife, Ardith Mae Scott
Walton, Charles OrinAMM3cAircrewVR-2Wife, Christine Mae Walton
Barrows, Arthur BurtonCaptain (USMC)PassengerUSS St. LouisWife, Lois R. Barrows
Ralph, Joyce AllenCDRPassengerDestroyer Division 82Wife, Lily George Ralph
Doggett, Burton LeeLTCDRPassenger[unknown]Wife, Gertrude W. Doggett
Tobelman, Paul HenryLTCDRPassengerUSS DentWife, Esther M. Tobelman
Crook, Joseph AlexanderLieutenantPassengerUSS St. LouisFather, J. L. Crook
Johnson, Thomas Edward Jr.LieutenantPassengerChaplain CorpsWife, Ernestine Johnson
Cherikos, Thomas GeorgeLieutenant (j.g.)PassengerDutch HarborWife, Florence Cherikos
Deterding, Charles Ernest Jr.Lieutenant (j.g.)PassengerUSS St. LouisWife, Mrs. C. E. Deterding Jr.
Noble, Jay Alvin Jr.Lieutenant (j.g.)PassengerUSS St. LouisFather, Jay A. Noble, Sr.
Mixson, Charles LynwoodEnsignPassenger[unknown; aviator]Father, Clarence Mixon
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