20 Feb 1990 – 29 March 2023
Eagle Dustoff
Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Born in Pensacola, Florida, on 20 February 1990, to Greg and Kathy Barnes; both of whom he loved very much. Jeffery was a thoughtful son, who was always thinking about his parents. He was a loving and charming husband, caring father, protective son, loyal brother, and friend. He was down to earth, funny, and had an infectious laugh. Jeffery was a devout Drew Brees and New Orleans Saints fan. He also loved dogs.
WO1 Barnes enlisted in the Army from Milton, Florida, in 2010. He attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He was subsequently assigned to the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade as a 15R, Attack Helicopter Repairer in Savannah, Georgia. In February 2015, he was assigned as a squad leader in the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade at Camp Humphreys, Korea. From 2016 through 2018, he served with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Carson, Colorado. In 2019, he served as an instructor at Fort Eustis, Virginia, before attending the Warrant Officer Basic Course in 2020. He served as an Aeromedical Evacuation Pilot for the Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division since October of 2022.
While assigned to the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, WO1 Barnes deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. He graduated from Initial Entry Rotary Wing School UH-60M Track; Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course; AH-64D Attack Helicopter Repair Course; Combat Life Saver Course; Basic Leader Course; CBRN Defense Course; Advanced Leader Course; Cadre Training; Common Faculty Development – Instructor Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course (High Risk); and the Equal Opportunity Leaders Course.
WO1 Barnes’ awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Certificate of Achievement, Army Aviator Badge, Basic Army Instructor Badge, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
He is preceded in death by his son, Carson Allen Barnes.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia Reyes, and brother, Clayton Barnes.
