here are success stories.

And then there are groundbreakers.

Retired Maj. Gen. Marvin Jay Barry, U.S. Air Force, has compiled a list of accomplishments in his lifetime that many dream of, but few ever attain.

Barry, of Franklin Township, held down two full-time jobs and went on to have highly successful Air Force and airline careers.

He served 35 years in the United States Air Force and the Air Force Reserve, retiring in January 2006.

Along with his service to our country, Barry also worked for Delta Air Lines from July 1977 to April 2004.

Growing up

Barry grew up as one of seven kids in his family.

Barry’s father, Marvin, graduated from high school when he was just 15. After graduating, Barry’s father then spent a year getting a machinist rating.

Shortly after his training was complete, Barry’s father, Marvin, went to Baltimore, Maryland, to work at an aircraft manufacturing plant.

It was there where he met Barry’s mother, Ethel, who was also working in the same plant.

“We had a pretty sparse lifestyle,” Barry said. “My dad fostered that love of aviation.”

Barry said he soloed on his 16th birthday.

“That’s where my interest in aviation began,” he said.

Upon graduating Lehighton High School in 1966, Barry applied for the Air Force Academy and was accepted.

Accolades

Barry is a 1970 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He received his MBA from the University of Utah School of Business in 1976 and completed courses for Air Command and Staff College and Air War College.

Barry began his Air Force career in Southeast Asia flying the C-130 for two combat tours that included 285 hours of combat time. He was also involved in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 when he was deployed to Southwest Asia as the commander of the 327th Tactical Airlift Squadron from Willow Grove Air Reserve Facility in northeast Philadelphia.

For his participation in combat operations, Barry was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, six Air Medals and the Bronze Star.

He finished his flying career in the Air Force with more than 4,800 flight hours in the C-130 and C-5 aircraft.

Barry’s assignments included duty as the vice commander of Air Education and Training Command, as well as three tours as a general officer assigned to the Air Force Staff in the Pentagon.

He served as the director of the Air Force Reserve. In that position, he managed the individual mobilization augmentee program supporting more than 12,000 Air Force reservists.

Barry also oversaw the Air Force Reserve general officer program that included 25 two-star generals, 50 one-star generals and over 75 colonels in one-star positions.

Third generation

Through it all, Barry said he never forgot his roots.

“I was the first kid from Lehighton to receive an appointment to the Air Force Academy,” he said. “I think I set the bar very high.”

Barry cited his family’s history at the Air Force Academy.

His brother, Craig (passed away in 1981 in an automobile accident while he was away at Air Force training), graduated in 1972, and his brother Bruce in 1974, making Barry one of three brothers to graduate from the academy, which was a first at that time.

Barry’s son, Matt, graduated in 1998, while Craig’s son, Shawn, graduated in 1999. Shawn’s son, Nick, will graduate in 2027.

“We are in our third generation of Air Force Academy (graduates),” Barry said. “Very few families can say that.”

All athletes in their own right, Barry, along with Craig and Bruce were all inducted into the Carbon County Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Loves of labor

These days, Barry said he has three pet projects: The Franklin Township Little League, the Lehighton Area School District Lehighton Education and Athletic Foundation board of directors and the Lehighton American Legion Post 314.

As he reflected on his life, Barry said he’s most proud of several achievements.

“I made plans early in life, and flying was the basis of all of it,” he said. “I’m at the stage now where when I was very young, I wanted to ensure that I could give my family all the things I didn’t have as a kid. I saved money for my kids, and their schools were paid for.”

Barry has been married to his wife, Christine, for over 54 years. Together, they have three children, seven grandchildren and one great grandson. “Thirty five and-a-half years, I am very, very proud to have served,” he said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my wife and children.”