By Ens. Trent Prince, Naval Air Station Pensacola
Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Clyde “Cash” Barber celebrated his 102nd birthday on May 5 at the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. “It’s been a long journey, and it’s been a blessed journey,” Barber said. “I’m proud to have this many people here to celebrate with me. I’m very honored.” A veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, Barber has volunteered at the museum for more than a decade. Every Tuesday, he shares his experiences with visitors while stationed beside a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina—the same aircraft type he served aboard during WWII.
“What a blessing this place is; it’s really my second home,” Barber said. “I’ve been coming out here for 12 years now, and I hope I never miss any days.” Barber enlisted in the U.S. Navy in May 1941 at just 17 years old. During WWII, he served as a flight engineer aboard Catalina patrol bombers in the Pacific Theater, flying missions from Midway to the Philippines. He remained in the Navy after the war and retired in 1971 with the rank of lieutenant commander.
The birthday celebration took place on the museum’s Cabot Flight Deck, attended by family, friends, museum staff, and visitors. National Naval Aviation Museum Foundation President and CEO, retired Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, praised Barber’s continued dedication to preserving naval aviation history. “Cash has been a dear friend for many years,” Cozad said. “It has been an opportunity to celebrate what I often talk about: common people who do uncommon things. He is the reason people flock to this museum. It’s not just to see the beautifully restored airplanes, but to hear the stories of the heroes who helped shape this nation and our Navy.”
Located aboard historic NAS Pensacola, the National Naval Aviation Museum is among the world’s largest aviation museums. Dedicated to preserving and displaying artifacts related to the history of Naval Aviation, the museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” NAS Pensacola has served the Gulf Coast community for more than 200 years. In addition to supporting aviation and cyber warfare training, the installation maintains an operational airfield and deepwater port that continue to support U.S. military readiness. For more information about the National Naval Aviation Museum, visit www.navalaviationmuseum.org.
(Image credit: National Naval Aviation Museum)
