Project 888
Name: Barna Theodore CONDON
Rank / Rating: RDM1-Radarman First ClassService #: 407 30 69 DOB: Feb 12, 1922 From: Alvin, TX Parents: Went Aboard: Dec 13, 1941 Age When Ship Went Down: 23 years, 5 months, 18 days Spouse: Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Cathy Thibaut (Niece) |
 CONDON, Barna T |
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| Barna grew up in rural Alvin, Texas. His father's family were farmers who migrated from Wisconsin to Texas and his mother was a recent immigrant from Hungary. Barna was the oldest of three siblings and through his letters that he wrote home during the war it was evident he cared very much for his family and their well-being. He inquired often how his brother and sister were getting along in school and whether his parents were able to make ends meet. He sent money home as often as he could. Barna was shy of his 19th birthday when he left high school in January 1941, during his senior year, to join the Navy. His earliest letter home was on January 22, 1941 from the US Naval training station in San Diego, California. Barna spoke of drills, meeting fellas from all over the US, singing songs, and amateur shows. By April, he was on the USS California and on his way to Honolulu. My mother was deeply impacted by the loss of her oldest brother. I never remembered her speaking of this event in her life until about 2001. Even in her 70s, all the emotions of the loss were still there. I knew very little about the USS Indianapolis until I found Doug Stanton's book, In Harm's Way. After reading the book, I tried to help her understand more about the situation, knowing those emotions ran deep and that it wouldn't bring her brother back. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, his mother, (my grandmother), received a telegram notifying her that Barna was missing in action and presumed dead. The family was devasted by the news. But it wasn’t true. Barna wrote a letter to his mother on December 23rd from the USS Indianapolis, telling her he was “fine so don’t worry about me. I am not sick or injured or anything.” While Barna wrote letters to home, he also wrote to his high school principal requesting his naval science be credited toward his overdue high school diploma. In May 1945, Barna flew home to receive his high school diploma making himself eligible to attend college. After some time with family, Barna returned to the Pacific. Once again, his mother received a letter informing her of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and that he was missing and presumed dead. Another devastating blow, only this time it was true. | |
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