Rockville Centre veteran inducted into N.Y. Senate Hall of Fame

Col. John F. Barry, a Rockville Centre resident, has been inducted into the New York State Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame. He was appointed by Sen. Dean Skelos.

“As the majority leader of the New York State Senate and a Rockville Centre resident, I’m proud to select my good friend Col. John F. Barry to be inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame,” said Skelos in a press release. “Col. Barry has an exemplary military record and has demonstrated a true and unwavering commitment to his country. Col. Barry exemplifies everything that the Veterans’ Hall of Fame was intended to honor and I thank him for all that he’s done for our country.”

Commissioned through the Reserve Training Corps at St. Bonaventure University in 1968, Barry is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, the Field Artillery and Transportation Officer Advanced Course and the United States Naval Transportation Management School, as well as the Command and General Staff College.

He proudly served his country in the First Cavalry Division in Vietnam where he served as Forward Observer, Executive Officer and Battery Commander of A Battery, 1st Battalion, 21st Artillery. As a member of the New York Army National Guard he served as Battery Commander; B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 104th Field Artillery; as an Army Reservist his duties included Assistant Inspector General, Headquarters, 77th United States Army Command; Chief, Internal Review, 77th United States Army Command; Battalion Commander, 354th Transportation Battalion and the Army Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for the State of Rhode Island.

Barry has been honored with numerous commendations and is the proud recipient of the Legion of Merit, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Service Star, Vietnam Service Medal, with two Service Stars. Additionally, he received an Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Valorous Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Vietnam Civil Action Medal.

Retired from active service since 2000, Barry remains an active member of the American Legion, Association of the United States Army and Reserve Officers Association.

He and his wife Doreen are 34-year residents of Rockville Centre.