The Man, the Mission and the Plane
The C-47 aircraft was known as the “workhorse” of WWII.
June 6, 1944.
D-Day.
It’s a date emblazoned in world history as the start of the Allied offensive to take back Europe from Nazi occupation during WWII. Every year, the date is commemorated in France, the starting point of the epic battle, with memorials, parades and speeches.
During World War II (1939-1945), the Battle of Normandy, which lasted from June 1944 to August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the battle began on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, when some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
This date is also significant for Sandra Stepp, a member of the Watauga Ward (congregation) in the Hurst Texas Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sandra’s father was Pilot First Lieutenant Royce W. Barnes, who flew in the vanguard on D-Day in C-47 Skytrain # 292838. His C-47 held Position 9 in the air formation above the English Channel to the beaches of Normandy.
Pictured left: Sandra Stepp; Pictured right: Lieutenant Royce W. Barnes.
Recently, Sandra shared a few personal records to commemorate the important summer of 1944. As a ward temple and family history consultant, she has a passion for helping community and church members discover their own personal histories.
While the world recognizes the D-Day invasion as one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history, Sandra has preserved personal records from her dad on that important day in history, including a note Lieutenant Barnes, her father, sent to his family:
“Somewhere in England
Tuesday—June 6 - p.m.
My Dearest Ones
Well darling again as usual, I suppose you haven't received a letter from me in a few days—but as you can see by the radio reports in the news items—We've been pretty busy out here—this is the day everyone has been waiting for—we were in the spearhead of the assault and I'm plenty tired today—no sleep in 24 hours—so I think I'll hit the bed pretty soon now.
Just a line to let you know that I'm O.K. and thinking of you and love you very much—will write more later
Love
Royce”
(Editor’s note: All punctuation has been left in original form.)
Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded
While the eyes of the world watched the events in Europe during the summer of 1944, First Lieutenant Royce Barnes continued to serve his country with high honor. Participating in a serial flight on September 18, 1944 as the pilot of a troop carrier aircraft on a glider mission over enemy lines in Holland, Barnes was flying his C-47. The C-47 aircraft played a critical role in almost all aspects of World War II, as it could serve as a jump platform for paratroopers and, when modified, also pulled gliders carrying soldiers or supplies.
“Approximately 10 miles from the objective and at an altitude of about 7,700 feet, heavy concentrations of enemy ground fire were encountered which severely wounded the serial engineer, knocked out the engine of the aircraft and punctured the left tire.
Despite the danger of the plane stalling or falling into a spin or collision with other planes in formation, Lieutenant Barnes continued on course through enemy flak of mounting intensity to accurately release the glider over the appointed landing zone.
Rather than crash-land his crippled aircraft or bail out over friendly territory nearby, Lieutenant Barnes elected to return to cross the English Channel to the United Kingdom, where immediate medical attention could be procured for his severely injured crew member.
Lieutenant Barnes made a successful single engine landing on one tire. The admirable matter in which Lieutenant Barnes executed this important mission and the courage and superb airmanship displayed is exemplary of the finest traditions of the U.S. Army Air Forces.” (Secret Restricted HQ IX Troop Carrier Cmd., APO 133 U.S. Army 11 Dec. 1944, General Orders, No. 126, Section II.)
For his extraordinary achievement on that day, First Lieutenant Royce Barnes received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The caption on the back of the original photo reads: “Maj. Carroll, Unknown, Lt. Carroll, Lt. Carr, Capt. Wilkins, Lt. Duehaunae, Capt. Miller, F/O Farrell, Guess who? [Lt. Barnes]”
The caption on the back of the original photo reads: “Loading up gas to haul to Patton tanks. Our group hauled over 96,000 gal a day.”
Less than a year later on May 8, 1945—known as Victory in Europe or V-E Day—celebrations erupted around the world to mark the end of World War II in Europe. The war had been raging for almost five years when U.S. and Allied forces flew equipment and supplies over the war-torn area and troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.
Lieutenant Barnes once again wrote his family:
“Metz France
June 2 [1945] 11:30 p.m.
Dearest Darlings
Today is the day that so many have waited for: Final victory—peace on earth, thousands of soldiers will be going home now—to their loved ones—to the things they fought for—but there are many thousands who will not—the many thousands who fought and died so the world may realize this day—In flying over battle torn Europe and I've covered it all, I look down on the graves of our dead and close my eyes to the so called sacrifice I have given compared to the lives of those men—
Every day you read in the papers of soldiers griping because they're not home—of civilians sobbing because they lost their nice defense plant job they should bow their heads and ask thanks of God—that they are alive and the world is almost straight again—
How is my sweet wife and baby getting along—fine I hope—we are still not doing much—I try to fly as much as I can.
Love to all,
Royce”
(Editor’s note: All punctuation has been left in original form.)
As Sandra shares her personal history, she reflects on the importance of honoring our loved ones by sharing stories and keeping an account of their important contributions.
“I feel so blessed to have such a strong desire to learn about the lives of my ancestors. I think it is the most rewarding hobby or past-time you could have.”
Sandra continues, “Thank goodness that Heavenly Father has given us the technology of today that has allowed us access to the source documents we need to identify them and to link them together in their proper family groups. Being able to search for my ancestors and reunite them together correctly in their original family units brings great joy and happiness to me! Even the ancestors I never knew! Learning about the strength and valor of our ancestors—as well as their trials and weaknesses—can cause us to feel more centered, grounded and capable in our own lives."
Sandra Stepp holds a photograph of her father, (then) Pilot Second Lieutenant Royce W. Barnes, while the plane he flew on D-day rests at its final destination behind her in the Midwest City Veterans Memorial Park in Midwest City, Okla.
President Ronald Reagan gave a speech on the 40th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 1984. Reagan, a man of deep faith in God, pointed to the faith of those who fought, recalling the sacrifice of all the Allied soldiers who hit the beaches of Normandy on that fateful day—what it meant for the world then and what it means for all of us now. In an excerpt, Reagan said:
“The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next…Here, in this place where the West held together, let us make a vow to our dead. Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for. Let our actions say to them the words for which [General] Matthew Ridgway listened: ‘I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.’ Strengthened by their courage, heartened by their valor, and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died.”
Article by Debby Adair. All images courtesy of Sandra Stepp.
Debby Adair is a former Financial Compliance Officer / Financial Fraud Examiner. She now spends her days enjoying retirement and enjoys traveling internationally, cooking and interior decorating during her free time.