Glenn O. Barcus

Glenn Oscar Barcus (July 25, 1903 – December 09, 1990) was a pioneering U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General whose influence shaped modern air combat tactics, particularly in close air support (CAS). His influence extended from the battlefields of World War II, where he commanded the 64th Fighter Wing and XII Tactical Air Command across Europe, to the skies over Korea, where he led the Fifth Air Force through some of the most intense aerial combat of the war. A master of tactical air operations, he was instrumental in refining air defense strategies, overseeing the evolution of Tactical Air Command, and enhancing pilot training programs in the postwar Air Force.

Early life Barcus was born in 1903 in Genoa, Illinois where his father was the Mayor. He pursued higher education at the University of Illinois at Champaign, where he graduated in June 1924. Soon after, he received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Cavalry Reserve on September 11, 1924. Just under a year later, in June 1925, he transitioned into the Regular Army as a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery. In September 1925, he was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, as a member of the Second Cavalry.

In September 1926 he joined the newly formed Army Air Corps and entered the flight training program at the Primary Flying School at Brooks Field, Texas. He completed the program in February 1927 and immediately advanced to the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas. His aviation career officially began after graduating, when he was assigned to Selfridge Field, Michigan, where he took on the role of operations officer for the 27th Pursuit Squadron. His time there was brief, and in October 1928, he returned to Brooks Field as a flying instructor. He remained in training roles for several years, moving in October 1931 to Randolph Field, Texas, where he continued instructing pilots until March 1933. The next phase of his career led him to tactical duty in the Pacific. Assigned to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, he served as intelligence and operations officer for the 18th and 19th Pursuit Squadrons from April 1933 to August 1935.

World War II In Dec. 1941, when the United States entered World War II, Barcus was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and placed in command of the 22nd Fighter Squadron, defending the Caribbean region. He then took command of the 36th Fighter Group, that served as part of the defense force for the Caribbean area and the Panama Canal zone, and flew antisubmarine patrols. He held this position until February 1942, when he was transferred to Trinidad to assist in forming the VI Interceptor Command. By April 1942, he was called back to Washington, D.C., where he took on the role of deputy director of Air Defense at Army Air Force Headquarters.

In October 1943 the 358th Fighter Group, the first fully trained P-47 unit, deployed to England and would gain a reputation for executing devastating attacks on German forces in France. Barcus regarded them as the best-organized and best-trained fighter group sent into combat. In December 1944, they returned under his command when assigned to the 64th Fighter Wing, the unit to which Barcus and Jackson would next be transferred.

First Tactical Air Force (Provisional) 64th Fighter Wing Commanders, Glenn O Barcus, and Nelson P Jackson. In October 1944, multiple Army Air Force and French Air Force units were consolidated into a single unified air force, designated as the First Tactical Air Force (Provisional). It was the only provisional force of its kind formed during the war, created specifically to provide close air support for the U.S. Armies as they advanced into Germany. This new command brought together the most effective air-ground coordination techniques developed throughout the war, integrating units from both the Ninth and Twelfth Air Forces to support ground operations in Northern France. The First Tactical Air Force was established following the link-up of the forces that had invaded Normandy and Southern France earlier that year. Its command structure was led by XII Tactical Air Command and the 64th Fighter Wing, with the 42nd Bomb Wing overseeing bomber operations. By February 1945, Barcus was appointed commanding general of the XII Tactical Air Command, headquartered near Nancy, France, while Colonel Nelson Parkyn Jackson assumed command of the 64th Fighter Wing.

The First Tactical Air Force proved highly effective, delivering devastating close air support that severely weakened German forces. The impact of its operations, particularly the destruction inflicted by the P-47 Thunderbolts, became the stuff of legend, as their relentless attacks crippled enemy positions and supply lines. He led the command through the final months of the European campaign until he briefly became commander of the 70th Fighter Wing before he was ordered back to the United States in Aug. 1946.

Post World War II

Upon is return to the States he was assigned as chief of staff of the Tactical Air Command at Langley Field. In March 1947, he was given command of the Twelfth Air Force at March Field, California, overseeing operations as the unit later moved to Brooks Air Force Base, Texas.

Korean War Korea (L to R): Joseph J. Clark, Seventh Fleet; James A. Van Fleet, Eighth Army; Glenn O. Barcus, Fifth Air Force; Paul W. Kendall, First Army Corps; Reuben E. Jenkins, Ninth Army Corps. With the Korean War in full force, Barcus was transferred to Korea in June 1952, where he took command of the Fifth Air Force. For nearly a year, he led the air operations in the Korean theater. He was noted for his analysis of aerial operations and was highly decorated. Gen. Barcus's F-86 Saber jet in Korea with "Barcus Carcuss" written on it. Throughout his flights, Barcus made a habit of broadcasting taunts over the radio frequencies most frequently monitored by enemy pilots. Identifying himself openly, he declared, “This is Gen. Glenn O. Barcus, commander of the U.S. Fifth Air Force. I don’t like the way you are talking about the Fifth Air Force. How did you like the way we were doing today?” Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal