World War II Honoree

Edward Joseph Barry, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

New Orleans, Louisiana

Honored By

Son, Kenneth Barry and Grandson, Korey Barry

HE ENTERED SERVICE ON 27 OCTOBER 1942 AND COMPLETED EIGHT WEEKS OF BASIC TRAINING AT ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. HE WAS THEN PROMOTED TO SEAMAN FIRST CLASS AND ASSIGNED TO CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA WHERE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE GALLEY. HE WAS PROMOTED UP THE CHAIN AND BECAME A PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS. DURING THIS PERIOD, HE WORKED IN THE PERSONNEL OFFICE AS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S ASSISTANT COMPOSING AND DISSEMINATING ORDERS. THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER APPRECIATED HIS EXEMPLARY WORK SO MUCH THAT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER TWICE REFUSED TO RELEASE HIM FOR DESTROYER ESCORT DUTY. IN EARLY 1945, HE WAS PROMOTED TO CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, A RANK HE HELD UNTIL BEING HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM DUTY AFTER THE WAR IN 1946.