The Death of Yamamoto
by
Marii Chernev

“Operation Vengance,” Bougainville, Northern Solomon Islands,
April 18, 1942. Lieutenant Rex Barber, flying a P-38 Lightning
named ‘Miss Virginia,” figured prominently in the interception
and shoot-down of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, head of Imperial
Japanese Navy. Having intercepted Adm. Yamamoto's “Betty,”
Lt. Barber shot pieces from the airship's tail, into the right
engine, through the fuselage, into the left engine and back into
the right engine. At treetop level, the bomber slowed and turned
abruptly. Barber evaded collision and, looking back, saw a pillar of
smoke from the jungle with the escorting Zeros attacking him. He
was then able to elude the pursuing enemy fighters and return to Henderson Field. For his actions, Lt Barber was awarded
The Navy Cross.

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