Barry Goldwater was born on January 1, 1909, in Phoenix, Arizona. He was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Army Reserve through the Army ROTC program at Staunton Military Academy on February 18, 1930, and he went on active duty with the U.S. Army Air Forces on August 22, 1941. During World War II, Col Goldwater served as an instructor pilot and a pilot in the Ferry Command, flying aircraft from the U.S. to bases in India, China, Burma, and Europe. He left active duty on November 23, 1945, and served in the Air Force Reserve until organizing and joining the Arizona Air National Guard on October 2, 1946. Gen Goldwater served as Chief of Staff of the Arizona ANG from October 1946 to June 1952, and then served in the Air Force Reserve from July 1952 until his retirement on January 1, 1969. Barry Goldwater served as a U.S. Senator from Arizona from January 1953 to January 1965, and from January 1969 to January 1987. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan on March 12, 1986. Barry Goldwater died on May 29, 1998.

His Air Medal Citation reads:

Captain Barry M. Goldwater, O-270184, Air Corps, United States Army. For meritorious achievement as pilot of a P-47 in the first flight of this type of military aircraft over the North Atlantic route of the Air Transport Command to the United Kingdom. This officer volunteered to act as pilot of a P-47 with the full realization that engine failure on this route would result in almost certain death in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic. Captain Goldwater completed this mission in such a manner as to reflect highest credit upon himself and the military forces of the United States.