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Contact Info
Home Town Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Last Address Austin, Texas
Date of Passing Jan 28, 2010
Location of Interment Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (VA) - San Antonio, Texas
Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence "Larry" Barbay, U.S. Air Force (RET.), 75, of Austin, Texas died on January 28, 2010. Larry was born on October 17, 1934 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated from Baton Rouge High School and Louisiana Tech University, where he earned a scholarship to play football. He later earned a Master's degree in Education on May 15, 1976 from Southwest Texas State University. Larry served in the United States Air Force and during the Vietnam War was shot down while flying missions over North Vietnam. He was captured by the North Vietnamese after ejecting from his aircraft, and was held as a prisoner of war (POW) for nearly seven years. He spent time in Hoa Lo Prison, the infamous "Hanoi Hilton," where many prisoners of war endured brutal torture. He was the recipient of many military honors, including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (second oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star, Purple Heart (first oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Air Medal (fifth oak leaf cluster), Air Medal (first through fifth oak leaf clusters), Air Force Commendation Medal (second oak leaf cluster), P.O.W Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. He was preceded in death by his parents, Loretta and St. John Barbay; brother, Raymond Barbay; and sister, Lois Waller. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Agatha Barbay; son, David Barbay; daughters, Catherine Chachere, Dina Rogers, and Lauren Dill; grandchildren, Shannon Viccellio,...
Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence "Larry" Barbay, U.S. Air Force (RET.), 75, of Austin, Texas died on January 28, 2010.
Larry was born on October 17, 1934 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated from Baton Rouge High School and Louisiana Tech University, where he earned a scholarship to play football. He later earned a Master's degree in Education on May 15, 1976 from Southwest Texas State University.
Larry served in the United States Air Force and during the Vietnam War was shot down while flying missions over North Vietnam. He was captured by the North Vietnamese after ejecting from his aircraft, and was held as a prisoner of war (POW) for nearly seven years. He spent time in Hoa Lo Prison, the infamous "Hanoi Hilton," where many prisoners of war endured brutal torture.
He was the recipient of many military honors, including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (second oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star, Purple Heart (first oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Air Medal (fifth oak leaf cluster), Air Medal (first through fifth oak leaf clusters), Air Force Commendation Medal (second oak leaf cluster), P.O.W Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Loretta and St. John Barbay; brother, Raymond Barbay; and sister, Lois Waller.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Agatha Barbay; son, David Barbay; daughters, Catherine Chachere, Dina Rogers, and Lauren Dill; grandchildren, Shannon Viccellio, Jason and Matthew Barbay, Kati and Scotty Chachere; great-grandchildren, Kaylin and Cole Viccellio; brother, John Barbay and sister, Elaine Barrese.
A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00PM, Monday, February 1, 2010 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, with the Rosary to be recited at 7:00PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00AM, Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Austin. Graveside services will be held at 2:15PM, Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen Society for Breast Cancer, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Parkinson's Association, or a charity of your choice.
Please visit www.mem.com for an online tribute to honor Lt. Col. Barbay's life.http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Lt.+Col.+Lawrence+%22Larry%22-Barbay+USAF+(Ret.)&lc=4884&pid=139331982&mid=4134809
Aircraft/Missile Information
RB-66 Destroyer The RB-66 reconnaissance aircraft and the B-66 medium bomber were the most advanced of their types in the United States Air Force when introduced in 1954 and 1955. In speed, range and capacity, the B-66 twin-jet with a three man crew met all tactical requirements for delivering the most potent weapons. The RB-66 was modified for use in night photo reconnaissance, electronics reconnaissance and weather reconnaissance. The B-66 "Destroyer" was developed from the Navy A-3D "Skywarrior" for USAF use as a tactical light bomber and photo reconnaissance aircraft, with production ending in 1958. The RB-66B recon version was the first production series and totaled 155 of the 294 B-66 built. The B-66 was the last tactical bomber built for the USAF, and only the B-66B was designed exclusively as a bomber, others served as tactical recon aircraft while the final version, the WB-66D, was designed for electronic weather reconnaissance. The RB-66B was modified for service in Vietnam having cameras mounted along the bottom of the fuselage and a chaff dispenser replaced the tail gun turret.
On 10 March 1964 an American RB-66 was shot down over East Germany.
Specifications Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company Designation: RB-66 Nickname: Destroyer Type: General Reconnaissance Crew: Three Length: 75' 2" Height: 23' 7" Wingspan: 72' 6" Empty Weight: 43,476 lbs Gross Weight: 59,550 lbs Max Weight: 83,000 lbs No. of Engines: 2 Powerplant: Allison J71-A-13 turbojets (and) 12 - 1,000 lb JATO Bottles Thrust (each engine): 10,000 lbs Cruise Speed: 525 mph Max Speed: 585 mph Service Ceiling: 43,000 ft Range: 1,800 mi Guns: 2 - 20mm cannons Bombs: 8,044 lbs of photo flash bombs
