David H. Barger
Colonel David H. Barger, USAF (Ret’d) grew up in Salem, Virginia, and graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1937. A member of High-Y and the newspaper staff, he also played in the school orchestra.
His post-high school education began by attending the Millard Prep School in Washington, C.D. In 1939, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and graduated in 1943 with a B.S. degree in Military Engineering. David was destined to spend the next thirty years with the Army Air Corps and its successor, the United States Air Force. However, during those years in service, he received further education through post-graduate studies at George Washington University, UCLA, the USAF Command and Staff School, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Air War College.
Entering World War II as a second lieutenant, David became a command pilot flying Martin Marauder B-26 bombers with the 9th Air Force. Stationed in Great Britain, he flew an extended total of 65 combat missions over Western Europe and later served in the army of occupation.
Following the war, David was given many important career assignments including stations in Germany and Japan. The move to Japan took place during the Korean Conflict when he was assigned to the Far East command.
Assignments in the United States include West Point, N.Y., the Pentagon, Andrew Air Force Base, Vandenberg Air Force Base, and Los Angeles. From 1960 to 1963, David was Program Director for a new and improved Air Defense system in Europe. At Andrews AFB, he was the Air Force Systems Command’s Director of Ballistic and space Systems. When Assigned to Vandenberg AFB, he served as vice-commander of the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing. He brought to that important position 12 years of research and development experience in operational flying and staff duty, program development, and engineering expertise in the Defense Communications Satellite Program. Davis’ final assignment prior to retiring from the Air Force was in Los Angeles, California. There he served as Director of launch activities at the Air Force Ballistic and System command which conducted satellite launches and testing of the Minuteman II ICBM. He had the distinction of being the principal assistant on the first military communications satellite program.
David retired from the United States Air Force as a full colonel and with an outstanding service record. Among the many decorations he had been awarded were the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Commendation Medal, and the Bronze Star. Upon completion of this last assignment, he received the Distinguished Service Medal, which is the highest non-combat military award.
Following retirement from the Air Force, David was employed by Northrop Aircraft in Los Angeles for approximately 17 years as a procurement engineer. Now fully retired, he and his wife Barbara live in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. They have two children, Ann Hannum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and David Barger in Carlsbad, California.
In recognition of his outstanding career achievements, David H. Barger is inducted into the 2003 Salem Alumni Hall of Fame established by the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association.
