He entered the United States Military Academy, where he was seriously handicapped by recurring malaria in a time when sick leave for cadets was unknown.

[2] From September 1903 to December 1905, Barth was an instructor in military art at the infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth.

From July to October 1918, he trained the Seventh Infantry Division at Camp MacArthur, Texas and took it to France where he commanded it in action at Metz shortly before the armistice.

[2] When arriving back to the United States, Barth commanded the 62nd Infantry Regiment at Camp Lee, Virginia.

[2] Barth retired on December 28, 1922, after which he was appointed governor of the National Military Home at Fort Leavenworth where he served until his death.