AMERICAN VETERAN
Oklahoman Archives
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
February 4, 1945 pg 40
LIEUT. Claude Nolan Barton.
VSNR. of Reed has been awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross for "heroism' and extraordinary
achievement as pilot of a torpedo bomber in action
against an enemy submarine. " The citation for the
24 -year-old naval aviator explains: "Immediately
upon completion of a companion fighter plane's
effective strafing run on the hostile ship.
Lieutenant Barton skillfully maneuvered his craft
into position for a daring. aggressive bombing
strike and. pressing home his attack with expert
skill and accuracy, delivered a direct hit on the
submerging vessel."
The lieutenant's wife. Mrs.
Opal L. Barton makes her home at Reed, Greer county.
Oklahoman Archives
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
February 27, 1996, pg 39
BARTON, Opal Lucille, 75,
homemaker, died Monday. Services 10 a.m. Wednesday,
Kelham Baptist Church (Hahn-Cook, Street & Draper,
Oklahoma City).
Oklahoman Archives
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
April 23, 2003, pg 15A
Claude Nolan Barton passed away April 20, 2003. He
was born October 29, 1920 in Reed, Oklahoma to A.J.
and Ethel Barton. After graduating from Reed High
School, he attended Junior College in Mangum until
he was selected for aviation training school for the
United States Navy. During WWII, he was a pilot on
many carriers and served in the Atlantic and Pacific
Fleets. He was awarded the Presidential Unit
Citation for the USS Bogue and Santee, the Silver
Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross & the Navy
Cross as well as other honors. After the war, he
remained in the naval reserves but moved to Oklahoma
City where he was on the OKC Planning Commission. He
also served as past President of the N.E. Kiwanis.
He was President of Jackson & Barton Insurance
Agency and served on the board of First Bethany Bank
and Trust. He had been a member of Kelham Baptist
Church for 57 years where he still taught Sunday
School and had served as deacon. He is preceded in
death by his parents, one sister; his wife Opal and
grandson Shaun Barker. He is survived by his
daughters Judy and Bob Barker, Claudia and Bob
Montgomery; grandchildren Seth & Cindy Barker, Ethan
& Jamie Barker, Layla & Todd Pietzsch, Tony & Ginger
Montgomery & Becca Montgomery; great-grandchildren,
Alec & Bryce Barker & Baby Montgomery; brother T.J.
& Levoi Barton and several nieces and nephews and
many close friends. We would like to thank his
caretakers Laverne, Alma, Danny, Wes & Brad Cole as
well as Dr. John Huff and Dr. Charles Hollen. He was
a great example who will be missed by all that knew
him. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Thursday,
April 24, 2003 at the Kelham Baptist Church with
interment following in Arlington Memory Gardens.
Memorial donations may be made to Kelham Baptist
Church.
