SGT Barney J Coble

Barney J. “Bill” Coble served with the U.S. Army Air Forces’ 8th Air Force in World War II as a crewman on a B-17 heavy bomber. He was gunner on, the “Blue Champagne” when the Flying Fortress was shot down over Europe on April 11, 1944. He and other members of the crew were taken prisoner of war, and interned in Stalag 17, a German/Austrian camp.

After 13 months as a POW, Bill was liberated and returned to the United States. He married his high school sweetheart on July 4, 1945.

Bill worked as a machinist, plumber’s helper, and licensed plumber. He founded Coble Plumbing and Heating Company in Greensboro in 1960. The Coble family was charter members of The Lutheran Church of Our Father, and remained very active members (choir, Sunday School, Church Council, youth group, etc.) for many years.