Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Thomas N. Barnes, the first African American to serve as the chief master sergeant of the Air Force.
The Air Force was still segregated in April 1949 when Thomas Barnes arrived at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, for basic training. He received his technical training from the aircraft and engine school and hydraulic specialist school at Chanute Technical Training Center, Illinois.
By 1949, the Air Force had not yet desegregated all its units. For his first duty assignment, Barnes deployed to Ashiya, Japan, with the 4th Troop Carrier Squadron in support of the Korean War. Barnes was one of its first African American members. During this assignment, he completed on-the-job training as a flight engineer. As a result of low unit manning, Barnes performed duties expected of both a flight engineer and a hydraulic specialist. In September 1951, he deployed to Tachikawa, Japan, and served as a flight engineer.
Barnes transferred to 30th Air Transport Squadron in June 1952. While continuing to perform flight engineer duties, he also attended C-118 school at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts. He went on to complete assignments in various locations, including Texas, Hawaii, Japan, and the Northeast Air Command.
In December 1966, Barnes deployed to Southeast Asia, where he served in multiple positions with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. His roles included noncommissioned officer in charge of the repairable processing center, senior controller, and noncommissioned officer in charge of maintenance control.
He promoted to the rank of chief master sergeant three years later. In 1971, Barnes served at Headquarters Air Training Command and assumed the duties of command senior enlisted adviser.
Barnes graduated from the U.S. Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy pilot class in March 1973. He was soon after appointed chief master sergeant of the Air Force Oct. 1, 1973. The chief of staff extended his original two-year term for another year, then a second year. Barnes retired July 31, 1977.
Barnes was the first African American to serve in the highest enlisted position within the U.S. Air Force. He is credited for bringing issues related to equal opportunity for minorities to the attention of senior military leaders. He also worked to strengthen the enlisted professional military education system.
During his service, Barnes received a Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Outstanding Airman of the Year.
Barnes died March 17, 2003, at age 72.
We honor his service.
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Writer: Rachel Heimann
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I too had the honor of meeting Chief Barnes early in my career at Whiteman AFB, MO. He was a remarkable Airman. My Father, SMSgt Frank Veal also had the honor of meeting him while Chief Barnes was one of his students at the Senior NCO Academy at Gunter AFS, AL.
I had the honor of meeting Chief Barnes early in my career. He was a gentleman and had quite an impact on my career. Thank you Chief Barnes.
We honor the service of Thomas Barnes.