Frederick T. Barrett
Life Member - Army
Colonel Frederick Taylor Barrett, US Army (Ret.), of Arlington, Virginia, peacefully passed away on February 20, 2022, at the age of 94. Born on Long Island, New York, he joined the Army at 17, requiring parental consent. When his mother refused to sign the age waiver, he convinced his older sister to do so, launching his 33-year Army career.
He began basic training in 1945, just as WWII was ending. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. In 1946, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps. From 1946 to 1950, he served in the Army of Occupation in Yokohama/Tokyo, Japan, where he met Gladys Saleeby.
Gladys, a missionary for the Episcopal Church in Shanghai, China, was evacuated to Tokyo after the Chinese communist takeover. Despite living two blocks apart in Brooklyn, NY, and attending the same high school, they never spoke until a random encounter at an American cafeteria in Tokyo. Their romance blossomed, leading to a 70-year marriage.
Career highlights include attending the US Army Language School in Monterey, CA, for Korean in 1951-1952, serving as the Regimental POW interrogator in Korea from 1952-1953, and working as a Special Agent in Japan from 1953-1955.
Student, US Army Intelligence School, Fort Holabird, MD (1956-1959)
Staff Officer, HQ US CONARC, Fort Monroe, VA (1959-1960)
Student, US Army Security Agency School, Fort Devens, MA (1960-1961)
S2, US Army Security Agency, Hawaii (1961-1962)
US Army Element, Joint Support Group, Seoul, Korea (1962-1966)
Counterintelligence Staff Officer, OACSI, DA, Washington, DC (1966-1968)
Commander, Collection Detachment, 502d MI Bn., Seoul, Korea (1968-1969)
G2, 1st Cavalry Division, Vietnam (1969-1972)
Commander, 116th MI Group/Director of Operations, USAFAC, Washington, DC (1972-1973)
Student, State Department, Foreign Service Language Institute, for Turkish (1973-1976)
US Army Attaché/Defense Attaché, US Embassy, Ankara, Turkey (1976-1979)
Commander, US Operational Group, Fort Meade, MD (1976-1979)
During his 33-year Army career, he received numerous medals, decorations, citations, and commendations, including the Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal, The Legion of Merit, and the Air Medal. Combat Infantryman Badge, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and others. He was fluent in Korean and Turkish. After his military career, he worked as a regional Security Manager for Mobile Oil for 12 years. He lived in London and traveled extensively to oversee security in Africa, Turkey, and the North Sea. He and Gladys returned to Dallas, TX for six years before moving to Arlington, VA when Mobil Oil moved its headquarters. After retiring, he volunteered as an international election observer in the Balkans, worked at the National Archives, Arlington County election poll volunteer, and Assistant Treasurer for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. He remained active, playing tennis into his 80s. Between deployments, career obligations, and raising a family, he pursued his college education, earning a BA in Political Science from George Washington University (1964) and an MSc. in Business Administration (1972). He was most proud of his family, which included four children.
He began basic training in 1945, just as WWII was ending. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. In 1946, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps. From 1946 to 1950, he served in the Army of Occupation in Yokohama/Tokyo, Japan, where he met Gladys Saleeby.
Gladys, a missionary for the Episcopal Church in Shanghai, China, was evacuated to Tokyo after the Chinese communist takeover. Despite living two blocks apart in Brooklyn, NY, and attending the same high school, they never spoke until a random encounter at an American cafeteria in Tokyo. Their romance blossomed, leading to a 70-year marriage.
Career highlights include attending the US Army Language School in Monterey, CA, for Korean in 1951-1952, serving as the Regimental POW interrogator in Korea from 1952-1953, and working as a Special Agent in Japan from 1953-1955.
Student, US Army Intelligence School, Fort Holabird, MD (1956-1959)
Staff Officer, HQ US CONARC, Fort Monroe, VA (1959-1960)
Student, US Army Security Agency School, Fort Devens, MA (1960-1961)
S2, US Army Security Agency, Hawaii (1961-1962)
US Army Element, Joint Support Group, Seoul, Korea (1962-1966)
Counterintelligence Staff Officer, OACSI, DA, Washington, DC (1966-1968)
Commander, Collection Detachment, 502d MI Bn., Seoul, Korea (1968-1969)
G2, 1st Cavalry Division, Vietnam (1969-1972)
Commander, 116th MI Group/Director of Operations, USAFAC, Washington, DC (1972-1973)
Student, State Department, Foreign Service Language Institute, for Turkish (1973-1976)
US Army Attaché/Defense Attaché, US Embassy, Ankara, Turkey (1976-1979)
Commander, US Operational Group, Fort Meade, MD (1976-1979)
During his 33-year Army career, he received numerous medals, decorations, citations, and commendations, including the Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal, The Legion of Merit, and the Air Medal. Combat Infantryman Badge, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and others. He was fluent in Korean and Turkish. After his military career, he worked as a regional Security Manager for Mobile Oil for 12 years. He lived in London and traveled extensively to oversee security in Africa, Turkey, and the North Sea. He and Gladys returned to Dallas, TX for six years before moving to Arlington, VA when Mobil Oil moved its headquarters. After retiring, he volunteered as an international election observer in the Balkans, worked at the National Archives, Arlington County election poll volunteer, and Assistant Treasurer for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. He remained active, playing tennis into his 80s. Between deployments, career obligations, and raising a family, he pursued his college education, earning a BA in Political Science from George Washington University (1964) and an MSc. in Business Administration (1972). He was most proud of his family, which included four children.
He was raised on various Army posts and overseas assignments throughout his career. He is survived by his wife Gladys Saleeby Barrett, children Alice (Brendan), Kathryn (Craig), Gale, Fred (Denise), five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 26, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 2609 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22207. A service with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fisher House Foundation and the Army Emergency Relief.
