This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Billy Williams, MM1
to remember
Barnhart, Donald, GM2c.
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Contact Info
Last Address Torrance, California
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Donald Ray Barnhart was born in Long Beach, CA on 29Mar13
Donald Ray Barnhart was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, CA on 31Jan31.
From 02Jun33 to 08Aug33, Don was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps employed in the War Department as a Painter at March Field, Camp F-23 at Hilt, California. His service number was CC-9-72091 and the place was run by the Army Corp of Engineers, Charles S. Pope 1st LT, Engineers Reservist Commanding.
Donald Ray Barnhart entered the Navy through RTC San Diego, CA on 16Aug33. Don's Navy Service number was 380-79-97. He was transferred on Monday, 04Dec33 to the USS Chester as an AS, USN to San Pedro, CA. He served on board the USS Chester, the USS Oglala, Back to the USS CHester, and was Honorably Discharged after 4 years from the Receiving Ship, San Diego, CA on 16Jul37.
After his initial Naval service, Don was employed by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation as a wing & tail assembler "C" and Electro-Plater. Don was employed from 21Jan42 to 28Aug42. He left he company voluntarily to reenlist in the Navy on 27Aug42.
Don was recalled to the US Naval Reserves as a GM2 to train gunnery crews in World War II. The Letter from the Navy Department Bureau of Naval Personel dated 18Jun42 reads as follows:
Dear Sir,
Your country is in urgent need of the experience you gained during your service in the Navy, the tremendous expansion of the shore establishments, the over-seas bases, and the sea-going forces have created a shortage of experienced personnel.
The records of the Bureau indicate that you were discharged during the past ten years. If you are found to be physically and otherwise qualified, and were discharged between 01Jul32 and 06Dec41 with an honorable discharge, recommended for reenlistment, the Navy will welcome your return provided you are not over 501/2 years of age, and urges you to call at your nearest Navy Recruiting Station where the Officer-in-Charge has the authority to effect your reenlistment in class V-6, US Naval Reserve.
If you were paid off as a Petty Officer, you will be shipped over in a rating one grade higher than that you held at discharge, not to exceed Chief Petty Officer (AA). If you were discharged as a non-rated man - messman branch excepted - you will be reenlisted as a Petty Officer, Third Class; if you were in the messman branch you will be reenlisted in a rating one grade higher than that held at discharge not to exceed Officer's Cheif Steward (AA) or Officer's Cheif Cook (AA).
Pay is better now than it was when you were paid off by virtue of the new pay bill signed by the President on 17Jun42 and in addition there is legislation pending (approved by the Navy Department) which on enactment will provide an additional allowance for dependents
THINK THIS OVER - YOUR NAVY NEEDS YOU NOW!
Signed Randall Jacobs, Cheif of Naval Personnel
Donald Barnhart reenlisted into the Navy Reserve on 27Aug42. He served 3 years, 2 months, and 2 days. He served on the followong ships: USS California (in which he advanced to GM2 on 01Apr43), USS Pittsburgh, and the USS Chicago. Donald Barnhart attended the refresher course Fleet Electric Hydraulic School in San Diego, Ca and graduated on 13Nov42 as a GM3. He was Honorably Discharged as a GM2 on 28Oct45 from the US Naval Personnel Separation Center in Shoemaker, CA.
Other Comments:
Donald Barnhart is my EX-wife's grandfather on her mother's side.
Best Moment * Advanced to GM3 with a mark of 3.01 on 18Aug36.
* Received 1st Shellback Certificate on 20May36 while in the South Pacific.
* Received 2nd Shellback Certificate on 24Nov36 while enroute to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Other Memories Pre-war service
Chester cleared Newport, R.I., 13 August 1930 for an extensive European cruise. She visited Barcelona, Naples, Constantinople, Phaleron Bay, and Gibraltar before returning to Chester, Pa., for voyage repairs 13 October. She joined the Scouting Fleet as flagship for Commander, Light Cruiser Divisions, and, on 6 March 1931, embarked the Secretary of the Navy for the Canal Zone where he observed the annual Fleet problem from Texas (BB-35). Chester carried the Secretary back to Miami, Fla., arriving 22 March, then sailed to Narragansett Bay for exercises and duty escorting two visiting French cruisers.
Following an overhaul at New York Navy Yard during which she was equipped with two catapults amidships, Chester stood out of Hampton Roads 31 July 1932 with planes and ammunition for the West Coast. She arrived at San Pedro, California, 14 August and joined in the regular activities of the Fleet. Departing San Pedro 9 April 1934 as flagship of Commander, Special Service Squadron, she arrived in New York 31 May for that day's Presidential Naval Review, returning to San Pedro 9 November. On 25 September 1935, Chester embarked the Secretary of War and his party for a voyage to the Philippines in connection with the inauguration of the President of the Philippines Commonwealth on 15 November. Returning to San Francisco 14 December 1935, she resumed operations with Cruiser Division 4.
Sailing from San Francisco 28 October 1936, Chester arrived at Charleston, S.C., 13 November and departed 5 days later to escort Indianapolis (CA-35) with President F. D. Roosevelt embarked for a good-will visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay. Chester returned to San Pedro 24 December. Chester remained on the West Coast for fleet exercises and training cruises to Hawaiian and Alaskan waters from 1937 except for a cruise to the East Coast for exercises and overhaul (23 September 1940-21 January 1941). Chester was one of six ships to receive the new RCA CXAM RADAR in 1940.
