USAFA Class Histories

Francis Llewellyn Barrett (Frank) was born in Jacksonville, FL on December 24, 1938 at two minutes before midnight. The decision was if he was born on the 25th his name would be Noel. Frank often gave thanks that he squeaked in before midnight. 

After his father’s premature passing in 1951, the family moved to New Orleans, LA where Frank as the oldest child with two younger siblings took on the role of “man of the house”. His childhood was spent enjoying the outdoors fishing, swimming, and playing on various sports teams in Jefferson Parish. It was during this time he acquired his childhood nickname “Big Grin Barrett.” Frank was raised a devout Catholic attending parochial schools and then Jesuit High School where he won almost every award in math and science available and graduated in 1957.

Frank attended SW Louisiana Institute (now LSU-Lafayette) for two years, where his academic awards continued. He attended the US Air Force Academy as part of its fifth class with aspirations to join the NASA astronaut program, majoring in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. He was a member of the Engineering Society. Frank graduated from the Air Force Academy 50th in his class of 499 graduates.

Immediately following graduation, Frank entered graduate school at Purdue University in a special program culminating in a Master's Degree in Astronautical Engineering for potential astronaut candidates. Upon completing this program, he began pilot training at Williams AFB near Phoenix where he soloed in the T-37 trainer and then moved to the supersonic T-38, graduating in March 1965. Frank was assigned to qualification training in the F-4C at Davis Monthan AFB for five months.

Frank was assigned to the 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB in Florida. He volunteered for a classified, hazardous assignment only knowing it involved attacking surface-to-air missile sites in North Vietnam. He trained with the first class of F-4C Wild Weasels and was then assigned to the famous 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Triple Nickels) of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing commanded by then-Colonel Robin Olds. Frank flew 100 combat missions over North Vietnam including the heavily-defended and dangerous area around Hanoi, and having to deal with MIGs and surface-to-air missiles. For his service in Vietnam, he received several commendations including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

While upgrading to the front seat of the F-4C, Frank had to eject and broke his back.  He then returned to the Air Force Academy to teach Engineering Mechanics and served as a flight instructor. At this point, he was introduced by fellow Academy graduates to the love of his life, Mary, who was widowed a few years earlier and the mother of three young boys.  After dating the family, Frank and Mary were married and their lives were forever transformed into the loving relationship that existed for the rest of his life.

In 1971, Frank and his new family were transferred to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson where he flew the A-7 Corsair. During this time, he spent a year in Thailand flying F-4’s and another year in Alabama at the Air Command and Staff College while simultaneously earning an MBA at Auburn University. Frank finished his Air Force career flying the A-7 until his retirement in 1983.

Upon leaving the Air Force, Frank returned to his great passion of teaching.  He taught at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and other universities in Tucson. His love of teaching was life-long and he earned the love and adoration of his students earning the moniker "Uncle Frank" and multiple teaching awards. 

Frank flew to Heaven on May 16, 2022.