Airman 1st Class Barnes of Lorain, Ohio graduated from 2004 Lorain High School in 2004 where he played as a catcher and outfielder as well as Lorain Youth Baseball. He was also an avid bowler who played a 300 game at age 18 in an adult league at Rebman's Recreation, earning a ring from the American Bowling Congress. Just before his 18th birthday he earned Eagle Scout ranking. For his Eagle badge project, he helped build a wheelchair ramp for the Murray Ridge Production Center in Oberlin. As a young boy scout he loved the camping trips and when it was his turn to be senior patrol leader, he was very impressive. He led by example and made camping fun for the younger boys. In high school he grew his blonde hair long to donate to Locks of Love, an organization that provides wigs for those with hair loss. The gesture was typical of him who was always thinking of others. He enjoyed the music and psychedelic styles of the 1970s posing in a brightly colored tie-dyed shirt for his 2004 high school graduation photo. As a teenager he wanted to join the Air Force and make a career of the service. The lanky 6-feet-6 inch airman was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was due to report to an Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska, in November where he was planning to start courses in to help him move up in the ranks. He enjoyed playing baseball, camping and other outdoor activities and made friends wherever he went. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Stephen W. Koch, paternal grandparents Charles and Norma J Barnes. Eric was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Force Training Ribbon. He also received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Force Achievement medal and the Air Force Combat Action Medal, posthumously. He died as result of an improvised explosive device attack on an Air Force convoy about 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq at age 20.

Air Force
90th Logistics Readiness Squadron,
F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.