<P> Like Andy, who was stationed in France, Barney served in World War II, although he was a file clerk who never left the United States (he stated that "me and this other fella ran the PX library" on Staten Island). Barney was nevertheless proud of his war record: "I did my part to lick the dreaded Hun," he boasted in the "Quiet Sam" episode . </P> <P> Nonetheless, Barney still has his rare moments of courage and loyalty . Perhaps the greatest example of Barney's courage is in the episode "Jailbreak": Barney, with help from Andy in tracking them down, saves a member of the state police who has been captured, apprehends the criminal and his partner by driving off with the crooks and their hostage attached in their trailer, and drives them to jail with Andy close behind with his siren wailing . It's one of the rare occasions when Barney actually catches the crooks intentionally and not by accident . </P> <P> One major comedic source is Barney's lack of ability with a firearm . After numerous misfires (usually a Colt . 38 caliber revolver), Andy restricts Barney to carrying only one bullet in his shirt pocket, "in case of an emergency ." However, the bullet always seems to find its way back into the gun, where Barney accidentally shoots it, usually into the floor, the ceiling, or his own gun holster . The accidental discharge of Barney's gun becomes a running gag . Another gag has Barney locking himself or together with Andy in one of the jail cells, with the keys just out of reach . Realizing that they can't get out, they shamelessly yell for help . </P> <P> In the first season, Andy and Barney comment that they are cousins, and is also curtly mentioned several times in subsequent shows . Genetics aside, Barney and "Ange" (as he frequently addresses Andy, a derivation from Knotts' real - life nickname for Griffith) are best friends, having grown up together in Mayberry, even graduating from the same class at Mayberry High School in 1945 . Barney maintains warm relations with Andy's son Opie and his Aunt Bee . In another episode, Andy finds a document indicating he issued Barney his gun in August, 1953 when he gave Barney his oath of office as his deputy . </P>

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