Albert Barrows was born on January 22, 1922, in East Weare, New Hampshire. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on September 8, 1942, and was trained as an aircraft armorer. After completing aircraft armament school, he deployed to England in July 1943 and was assigned to the 487th Fighter Squadron of the 352nd Fighter Group. Sgt Barrows returned to the U.S. in November 1945, and received an honorable discharge from the Army Air Forces on November 14, 1945, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.