James R. Barry
1/3/2012





Command Sergeant Major James R. Barry, a “Pearl Harbor Survivor,” passed away January 3, 2012 after a long illness. He was the beloved son of the late Francis P. Barry Sr. a decorated WWI Navy Veteran and Helen E. (Donehey) Barry a nurse who was recorded to be the first person to perform CPR on a child, both his parents resided in Tewksbury. James was born 23 August 1921 in Boston and is a graduate of Medford High School.

His military service began before World War II, when he enlisted with the Army Air Corps, 7 November 1938 serving through the War until 22 September 1945 with the Air Corps assigned to Pearl Harbor and the in the Pacific Theatre of the War. From August 1946 - August 1949 he was with the US Air Force Reserve and from 4 March 1954 – 22 August 1981, he served with the Massachusetts Army National Guard with the 101st infantry regiment and later with the 101st Engineer Battalion where he retired with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He had a total of 36 years, 6 months and 18 days of distinguished and honorable service to our great nation. On 22 March 1997 he was inducted into the Massachusetts Army National Guard, Non- Commissioned Officer Hall of Fame 22 March 1997.

Jim’s awards and citations include: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service Bar, American Campaign Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one Silver Star and one Bronze Service Star for participation in the Central Pacific Campaign (Hickam field), Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons Campaign, Western Pacific Campaigns, Bismark Archipelago, New Guinea Campaign. Victory Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Service Medal with two Hour Glasses, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with two Oak Leave Clusters, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, Medal De La France Liberee, Solomon Islands Medal, Massachusetts Service Medal with War Service Star and Gold Eagle Device, Massachusetts Emergency Service Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, Presidential Unit Citation.

Jim served as a Cemetery Foreman and Acting Superintendent at Oak Grove Cemetery, retiring from the Cemetery Department of the City of Medford after 35 years of service. Since leaving military service he has been active in veteran organizations, and various night jobs such as Armored Car Service, Park Police (Sergeant) Special Police Officer (Lieutenant) and Elite Security (Illegal aliens).


He served as State Command Sergeant major with the Massachusetts defense force.
He is the president (15 years) and Treasurer of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Assn. Inc, Bay Patriots Chapter # 1 Massachusetts.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 65 Years, Maria Y (Schenna) Barry and 7 children: Linda J. Davis USMC Retired of Medford, James M. Barry- Army Aviation, Vietnam of Waltham, Ann Marie Barry- Retired School Teacher of Easton, William D. Barry – US Navy and his wife Nancy of Billerica, John K. Barry –Union Carpenter of Medford, Timothy F. Barry – US Navy and his wife Susan of Burlington and Sergeant Major Thomas R. Barry – Joint Force HQ Rhode Island and a Retired Mass State Trooper of Tewksbury. He also has 5 Granddaughters, Dawn Viliott and her husband Paul of Reading, Jennifer Hogan and her husband Mark of Medford, Tiffani Barry of Medford, Kristina Barry of Billerica and Danielle Barry of Tewksbury. He has 3 Grandsons, James R. Barry of Billerica, Timothy P. Barry of Burlington and Ryan T. Barry of Tewksbury. He also leaves behind 6 Great Grandchildren, Devany Davis of Tewksbury, Kayla Davis of Medford, Emily and Lyndsey Hogan of Medford, and Dario and Lia Viliott of Reading. He is the brother of Richard “Dick” Barry of Medford, Lois Whalen of New Hampshire, Helen O’Brien of Greenfield, and the late Francis P. Barry, Jr. of Melrose and John Barry of Tewksbury.

His funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Monday, January 9th at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford, at 10 AM. Services will conclude with burial and Military Honors at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit at the funeral home Sunday, 4 thru 8.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Jim’s name to St. Francis of Assisi Church Building Fund, 441 Fellsway West, Medford, MA 02155 or to the charity of your choice.


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Dello Russo Funeral Service
306 Main Street
Medford, MA USA 02155
781-396-9200