Bio, Barnett, Robert W.

Name: Robert Warren Barnett
Rank/Branch: United States Air Force/O4
Unit: 44 TFS Korat Airbase Thailand
Date of Birth: 12 October 1928
Home City of Record: Los Angeles CA
Date of Loss: 03 October 1967
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 210300 North 1065000 East
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F105D
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident:
Refno: 0845

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews. 2023

==========================

Robert Barnett retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel. He and
his wife Anita live in Arizona.

=========================
From - Sat May 13 18:03:29 2000
From: Bob Barnett
Subject: Disclaimer

For anyone who might care..

Re: reprinting of an article in the Dallas Morning News by Mary Peachin..

There are some errors that cause me some embarrassment. I know Mary was very
touched by her visit to Ha Lo and upon her return she called me to show me
photos and tell me about it. She obviously must have assumed that I had
been locked up in Heartbreak for the whole time. and chained in irons.. It
is a grim place that would shock anyone.

However, except for a good part of one day in Heartbreak, I was in the
nobby green room for 5 or 6 days. Lost track. Got the usual initiation,
but not as bad as some, I guess. Was moved to to Little Vegas (Rivera,
Golden Nugget and then to Thunderbird. After just a month was moved to
Annex in Zoo with Digger Odell, Wayne Waddle and Jim Clements. Lived in
cell #10, Pool Hall with Dwight Sullivan for over a year.. Anyway, was at Zoo
until we all moved to Unity. So I didn't live five years in "this" small
cell. Lived in other small cells. No big deal. My airplane was hit 11
miles North of Hanoi, Bac Ninh, but ejected 17 mi NE of Haiphong.

I did spend part of 3 days and 2 nights running around. Was imprisoned
1989 days - left out 1000 days, probably a typo. Actually spent most of
my time with a least 1 - 4 cellmates and later on with up to 27 at Unity.

True about my back injuries, but I think I was just numb. Didn't know it
had been compressed until I came home and had X-Rays. True, was MIA for 2
1/2 years, etc. About stunk so bad.. I remember an "inspection" while in
#10 Pool Hall, Zoo. They opened door and wouldn't come in. Sully and I
wondered what their problem was. They had us go to well and throw some
buckets of water in cell. We must have smelled better after that. Most of
the rest of story fairly accurate, but can't remember me telling her all
that stuff. Anyway, as I said, I am a little embarassed and try to remain
invisible, as I did in jail.. Hard to do sometimes. About waning
nightmares..I have been lucky, my wife has more nightmares than I do.

I felt I needed to at least try to get it straight. I know Mary wanted to
make the article touching and I know the trip to Vietnam made a big
impression on her. At least my trip to Vietnam left an impression on me..

GB Roberto

Printed in the "Arizona Star" Newspaper. Tucson, AZ .

Anita A. Barnett age 81, of Tucson, Arizona passed away on December 24,

2012. She was born September 19, 1931 in Los Angeles, California to Maria

and Antonio Aubut.

Growing up in the Los Angeles area she met her future husband, who lived

eight doors down. Col (Ret) Robert Barnett and Anita lived a life of

travel and had many different addresses while Bob served as a pilot in the

Air Force, where many life-long friends were made. Stationed all over the

US and in South America, traveling became a way of life. Anita did spend

time living back in the Los Angeles area near family while Bob was a

prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.

"She waited and She was there". Anita was an avid bridge player and

belonged to many clubs. Their social circle was deeply rooted with the

most fabulous friends ever! The most devoted of Wildcat fans; she was

passionate about Arizona Basketball.

Anita is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert; brother-in-law, Don

and wife, Carol; daughter, Lori (Tim); four grandchildren, Jordan

(Duncan), Mackenzie, Macartney and Casey. A loving wife, mother,

grandmother and friend, she will be so missed.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at

EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY, 5801 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712,
followed by a Celebration of Anita's life at 5:00 p.m. at Ventana Canyon Golf &

Racquet Club, 6200 North Club House Lane, Tucson, AZ 85750.