Barrie Davis began a long and illustrious military career in 1943 as a young pilot flying P-47s and P-5 Is out of North Africa into the European theatre. He became an ace with 6 confirmed kills and was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 13 clusters, Purple Heart and ETO Ribbon with 5 battle stars during his 70 combat missions. After leaving the Army Air Corps in 1945, he continued in the Air Corps Reserves and founded a North Carolina National Guard artillery battery in his hometown of Zebulon, North Carolina in 1949. Barrie resumed his aviation career when he was promoted into a unit with L-19 Birddog and L-20 Beaver aircraft. In the 1960s, Barrie foresaw the switch to rotary wing aircraft and worked with the Pentagon to establish one of the first rotary wing training programs in the United States that allowed National Guard fixed wing pilots to receive 90% of their rotary wing training in their local area. After completing this local training, pilots received their final training and certification at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Barrie successfully completed this program and obtained his rotary wing rating. Barrie held senior command postings and completed his career as the commandant of the North Carolina Military Academy at Fort Bragg. Barrie retired with over 25 years of service at the rank of Colonel with the Master Army Aviator rating. Throughout Barrie's National Guard career, he raised 4 children, ran a successful printing business and dedicated substantial time to his church and community organizations.