USS Indianapolis CA-35

Lost At Sea

Paul Clayton BARNES

Name: Paul Clayton BARNES
Project 888 Rank / Rating: F2-Fireman Second Class
Service #: 978 71 86
DOB: Jun 06, 1918
From: Burnside, KY
Parents: Thomas Frederic and Anna Virginia Colyer Barnes
Went Aboard: May 29, 1945
Age When Ship Went Down: 27 years, 1 months, 24 days
Spouse: Maybelle Walden Barnes
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Carl Fahnestock (Admin)
Date Posted:

Paul Clayton BARNES, F2-Fireman Second Class
BARNES, Paul C
BARNES Draft Card
BARNES Draft Card
On June 6, 1918, Paul Clayton Barnes was born to Thomas Frederic and Anna Virginia Colyer Barnes of Burnside, Kentucky. He had two sisters, Ruth (Foster) and Mary Ellen (Lloyd) Barnes. Before entering his service in the United States Navy, Paul was employed by the Southern Railway System of Danville, Kentucky. Paul married Maybelle (May Bell) Walden and had three children - Alice Virginia, b. Sept 1939, Edward Hughett, b. Mar 1943 and Sandra Mae, b. Jan 1945. The family lived in Burnside, KY.
Paul was 26 years of age when he was drafted into the US Navy on November 20, 1944. While the largest percentage of enlisted sailors were typically under age 21, his older age (presumably along with a complement of "Real Life" Experiences) was most likely a factor in his being able to reach the petty officer rank/rating early in his service in the Navy. Paul was rated as a Fireman Second Class at the time of his death on or about July 30, 1945 at the age of 27. He had completed training at USNTC (United States Naval Training Center), Great Lakes, Illinois. His very first US Navy sea duty assignment was on board USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He went aboard Indianapolis on May 29, 1945. Maybelle never remarried and died Aug 4, 2000. She is buried in Burnside Cemetery, Burnside, Pulaski Co., KY. A cenotaph for Paul was placed in the Mill Springs National Cemetery, Nancy, Pulaski Co., KY. Their son, Edward Hughett Barnes, joined the USN. He died on Feb 13, 2025, age 81, and is buried, also, in Mill Springs National Cemetery. His headstone is inscribed "Son of F2 Paul C. Barnes The USS Indianapolis"
Source Credits
The Commonwealth (Somerset, KY), Wed, Nov 29, 1944, p. 1; citing induction into USN. 1940 US Census, KY, Pulaski, Burnside; HH #53; citing family of Paul Barnes 1950 US Census, KY, Pulaski, Burnside; HH 134; citing Maybell Barnes, widow Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/43048634/paul_clayton-barnes: accessed September 21, 2025), memorial page for Paul Clayton Barnes (6 Jun 1918-30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 43048634, citing Mill Springs National Cemetery, Nancy, Pulaski County, KY Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/282769508/edward_hughett-barnes: accessed September 21, 2025), memorial page for Edward Hughett “Eddie” Barnes (4 Mar 1943-13 Feb 2025), Find a Grave Memorial ID 282769508, citing Mill Springs National Cemetery, Nancy, Pulaski County, KY.

We welcome your submission of additional biographical Information and/or photo(s) to further enhance Project 888's posting for Paul BARNES. Please use the "Upload Bios" in the menu for biographical information and the "Upload Photos" to submit photos.
External Links / Additional Information
HonorStates.org | Fold3.com
Project 888 is not responsible for incorrect or false information on external Web sites.
Photos / Clippings / Other
Project 888
    


End List - Total: 888