Ken Barton
Yearbook Photo
Ken was training at Davis-Monthan AFB in the '70s and perished in an aircraft accident.
Here is the text of the Obituary written at the time of his death:
BARTON
Capt. Kenneth E. Barton - A native of Mobile and a resident of Tuscon, Arizona for several years died on Wednesday, December 13, 1978. Capt. Barton is survived by his wife, Mrs. Marsha Cook Barton of Tuscon, Arizona; two daughters, Denise Barton and Shannon Barton, both of Tuscon, Arizona; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald D. Barton of Jacksonville, Florida: grandmother, Mrs. Lois Batchelor of Mobile; grandfather, P. J. McCain of North Carolina and other relatives. Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Radney Funeral Home on Monday, December 18, 1978 at 2:00 p.m. with internment in Pine Crest Cemetery. Visitation for friends will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, Dec. 17, 1978 after 3:00 p.m. Funeral arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, Inc., Dauphin Street Ext., Mobile, Ala.
Here is the text of the Obituary written at the time of his death:
BARTON
Capt. Kenneth E. Barton - A native of Mobile and a resident of Tuscon, Arizona for several years died on Wednesday, December 13, 1978. Capt. Barton is survived by his wife, Mrs. Marsha Cook Barton of Tuscon, Arizona; two daughters, Denise Barton and Shannon Barton, both of Tuscon, Arizona; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald D. Barton of Jacksonville, Florida: grandmother, Mrs. Lois Batchelor of Mobile; grandfather, P. J. McCain of North Carolina and other relatives. Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Radney Funeral Home on Monday, December 18, 1978 at 2:00 p.m. with internment in Pine Crest Cemetery. Visitation for friends will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, Dec. 17, 1978 after 3:00 p.m. Funeral arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, Inc., Dauphin Street Ext., Mobile, Ala.
The Air Force Incident Report
Below is a redacted version of the incident report provided by the Air Force.
Hooper 04, we will think of you at the reunion.
At 0900 MST, 13 December 1978, Hooper 01-04, a flight of two instructor pilots and two student pilots departed Davis-Monthan AFB on a Surface Attack Tactics mission to the East Tactical Range on the Gila Bend Range Complex. After Low Altitude Tactical Navigation to the East Tactical Range, the flight split into two separate two-ships for pre-briefed bombing, strafing, and Maverick attacks. Hooper 04, the mishap aircraft, flew two bombing passes with Hooper 03 observing from a position approximately 5000 feet behind Hooper 04. The flight repositioned to another target for strafe attacks. Hooper 04 completed two strafe attacks and was re-positioning for a third attack when his aircraft impacted the ground at approximately 1015L. The aircraft was destroyed and the student was fatally injured.
Hooper 04, we will think of you at the reunion.
At 0900 MST, 13 December 1978, Hooper 01-04, a flight of two instructor pilots and two student pilots departed Davis-Monthan AFB on a Surface Attack Tactics mission to the East Tactical Range on the Gila Bend Range Complex. After Low Altitude Tactical Navigation to the East Tactical Range, the flight split into two separate two-ships for pre-briefed bombing, strafing, and Maverick attacks. Hooper 04, the mishap aircraft, flew two bombing passes with Hooper 03 observing from a position approximately 5000 feet behind Hooper 04. The flight repositioned to another target for strafe attacks. Hooper 04 completed two strafe attacks and was re-positioning for a third attack when his aircraft impacted the ground at approximately 1015L. The aircraft was destroyed and the student was fatally injured.