Gunners Mate 3rd Class
USS Barber
US Navy
WORLD WAR II

His three older brothers: Malcolm, Randolph, and Le Roy; were all crew members of the USS Oklahoma and all three were killed in action at Pearl Harbor.

The USS Barber was commissioned in October 1943 and was named for the three lost Barber brothers. It was christened by their mother, Gertrude Barber.

Clayton Barber enlisted on 5 Jan 1943 and he was a "plank owner" - that is, a member of the ship's first crew, of the USS Barber. On 28 Dec 1944, he was transferred to duty in the 9th Naval District, which was headquartered at Great Lakes.

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BROTHER OF THREE KILLED IN ACTION ENLISTS IN NAVY

Seventeen-year-old Clayton Barber will be off to war Monday.

The youth, son of Mr and Mrs Peter Barber, who already have given three sons to their country, has been accepted by the Navy and will begin training at Great Lakes, IL, next week.

His three older brothers - Malcomb, Le Roy and Randolph - all members of the Navy - lost their lives during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Clayton's acceptance by the Navy was the culmination of a long ambition. He was eager to join when his brothers did and his appetite for the sea was whetted by the tales they told when they came home.

When news of their deaths reached the Barber family, the youth was more determined than ever to enlist.

Although they've lost three sons, his parents did not object to his enlistment. "We hate to see him go," said Mrs Barber, "but we're not going to stand in his way."

Sheboygan Press
2 Jan 1943

note:
Gertrude Barber did not christen the USS Barber at Norfolk Navy Yard during her launching, she could not attend. The Shipyard Commander, Felix Gygax, pulled the lever that launched the ship.
Contributor: Brian.softballguy