The Honorable James E. Barrett enlisted in Army of the United States in 1942. He served as infantry officer in Europe, World War II. Instructed in Military Science and Tactics, Creighton University, 1945-46. | He began his insurance career with Mutual of Omaha as methods and procedures analyst in 1948. Appointed Special Assistant to the President in 1953. Elected Assistant Vice President in 1956, Assistant to the President in 1958, Vice President in 1959, and Executive Vice President in 1965; Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Tele-Trip Company, Inc., Omaha, Nebraska; Director, Companion Life Insurance Company of New York. Director, First National Bank of Washington, 1973-75; President, United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO). Chairman, Executive Committee, 1977-78; Director, USO of Metropolitan Washington; Director, USO of Metropolitan New York. Trustee, The American University, Washington, D.C.; Director, Marymount College of Virginia, Arlington, VA. Director, The Heights School, Washington, D.C., 1974-78; Founding Director and President, The United States Physical Education and Sport Development Foundation, Washington, D.C.;
Trustee, The Behrend Foundation, Washington, D.C.; Trustee (Chairman 1973-78), National Capital Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society; National Conference Chairman, 1976.; Board of Governors (President 1962), The Nebraska Society of Washington, D.C., 1961-63. | Awards: District of Columbia Community Service Award, 1981. Four Seasons International Award, 1981. MS Hope Chest Award, 1980, National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Chevalier de Grace, 1980, Ordre Souverain Militaire et Hospitalier de St. Thomas d'Acre, Rome. | Community Service Award, 1978, Sales and Marketing Executives of Washington, D.C.; Member: Chamber of Commerce of the United States (Health Care Committee 1974-79;) Health Insurance Association of America (Board of Directors 1966-69; National Health Care Programs Committee; Chairman, Task Force on Veterans Affairs; Maryland Health Care Committee; President's Council, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska; Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs; Colleague, The National Assembly of National Voluntary Health and Social Welfare Organizations, Inc.; Charter Member, HEROES, Inc.; American, Federal, and Nebraska Bar Associations; The Greater Washington Board of Trade; The Newcomen Society in North America