Barry was an Irish-born sailor who joined the American colonists in fighting for independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

The National Commodore John Barry Statue Commission included government officials, veterans, and many Irish American groups.

John Barry was born 1745 in Ireland, and later worked as a cabin boy before immigrating to the United States at age 15.

[3][4][5] Fifteen years later, Barry joined citizens from the Thirteen Colonies, who were attempting to fight for their independence in the American Revolutionary War.

[4][7] After the war ended and American had won its freedom, President George Washington issued Barry Commission Number 1.

Representative Michael E. Driscoll and Senator Thomas Kearns agreed to introduce a bill in Congress that would result in the erection of the memorial.

[8] Later that year, the National Commodore John Barry Statue Commission was formed, which included members of Congress and the public.

[4][8][10] After the winning design was rejected, and the top two other finalists were eliminated, the person chosen to sculpt the statue was Irish-American John Boyle, a choice hailed by Irish groups.

[8][10] One person who supported its location was landscape architect George Burnap from the United States Army Corps of Engineers who lamented the fact "In America, we have the horrid habit of placing an equestrian statue to some war hero or other in the exact centre [sic] of every park.

"[11] Final approval of the memorial's design occurred in 1911 and a contract was signed with Boyle in November of that year.

[10] That same month Irish American groups decided the dedication should be moved to the following year, mostly because it would allow them to properly prepare for the ceremony.

[16] Prominent people in attendance included President Woodrow Wilson and some of his cabinet members, and Supreme Court justices.

The Marine Band played additional music before a speech was made by Asa Bird Gardiner, secretary general of the Society of the Cincinnati, who paid tribute not only to Barry, but other military heroes of the Revolutionary War.

The unveiling was done by Elise H. Hepburne, a descendant of Barry, while the Marine Band played The Star-Spangled Banner.

The day after the ceremony, a large banquet took place at the Willard Hotel with the President and other government officials in attendance.

On Saint Patrick's Day members of the local Irish War Veterans group would also lay wreaths at the memorial.

[10] On July 14, 1978, a group of fourteen American Revolution Statuary, including the Barry memorial, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

He is depicted wearing his military uniforms of the Navy and Army, including a large cloak and a three-cornered hat.

His left arm is reclined by his side and his right hand is holding a stack of papers resting on a sword.

On the front of the pedestal is an allegorical female figure representing Victory which is also made of Knoxville pink marble.