Personal and Political Papers of Senator Barry M. Goldwater

Barry M. Goldwater was born in Phoenix, Arizona on January 1, 1909. He attended grade school in Phoenix and at age 13 succeeded in setting up the first commercial radio transmitter in Arizona, KFDA – the 36th station licensed in the U.S. He attended high school at Staunton Military Academy in Virginia where he became an outstanding cadet and student athlete. He played football, ran track, and was captain of the record-setting swim team. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Arizona. His academic career was cut short in 1929 by his father's death, whereupon he entered the family business, Goldwaters department store. Starting as a junior clerk, Goldwater progressed to become President and eventually Chairman of the Board – a position he held until 1953.

Goldwater married Margaret (Peggy) Johnson of Muncie, Indiana in 1934. They had four children, Joanne, Barry Jr., Michael, and Margaret (Peggy) Jr. Peggy died in 1985. In 1992, he married Susan Wechsler.

In 1940, Goldwater joined Norman Nevills on a 42-day trip down the Green and Colorado Rivers and became the 71st person to travel the full length of the Colorado. His film, photographs, slides, and lecture Shooting the Rapids took him to venues throughout Arizona. He drew large audiences, thus setting the stage for future political campaigns. His award-winning photography was exhibited worldwide and won him membership in the prestigious Royal Photographic Society.

Barry Goldwater's military career spanned 37 years. During World War II, he volunteered for active duty in 1942 but was rejected due to his age and previous athletic injuries. He persisted and eventually was assigned to Yuma, Arizona where he was a gunnery instructor and perfected a technique that increased target accuracy. He later became one of 10 pilots to fly P-47 Thunderbolts across the North Atlantic to Europe. He retired in 1969 as a Major General in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. By the end of his career, he had logged 15,000 hours of flight time, flew over 250 aircraft, and received numerous awards, medals, and commendations.

Goldwater launched his political career in 1949 on a Republican reform platform and won a seat on the Phoenix City Council. In 1952, Barry Goldwater challenged the incumbent Ernest McFarland and won a seat in the U.S. Senate. He served two terms and then ran for President against Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Although it was a landslide defeat, Goldwater emerged as a political icon for the conservative movement and the Republican Party. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1968 and served until his retirement in 1986. During his thirty-year career, he served on the Banking and Currency, Labor and Public Welfare, Interior and Insular Affairs, Aeronautical and Space Sciences, Armed Forces, Labor and Public Welfare, Select Committee on Intelligence, Indian Affairs, and Commerce, Science and Transportation and Small Business committees. These committees reflect his lifelong interests in aviation, amateur radio, technology, defense, labor and union issues, national security, and Native Americans.

On May 29, 1998, Barry M. Goldwater died at his home in Phoenix from complications of a stroke.

1909

January 1, Baron (Barry) Morris Goldwater is born at home to Baron Goldwater and Josephine (JoJo) Williams Goldwater in Phoenix, Arizona. He is later joined by brother Robert and sister Carolyn.

1912

Arizona becomes the 48th state in the union on February 14th. Young Barry is the ring bearer at the first wedding performed in the State of Arizona. The couple, Joe Melczer and Hazel Goldberg, delayed their wedding until they received word that Arizona had become a state.

1920

His father gives him his first crystal radio set sparking a lifelong interest in ham radio.

1922

At age 13, assists in setting up the first commercial radio transmitter in Arizona, KFDA. It is the 36th station licensed in the United States.

1923-1928

Attends Staunton Military Academy in Virginia. Plays center in football, runs track and is the captain of the swim team. Named Outstanding Cadet of the senior class.

1928

Applies for a commission as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Attends the University of Arizona the fall semester of that year.

1929

Baron Goldwater dies at age 62. Barry leaves the university to assume his position in the family department store, Goldwaters, while brother Bob finishes college at Stanford.

1930

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. Registers for the first time as a Republican. Takes flight lessons and makes his first solo flight after 10 hours of instruction. Flying becomes a life long passion. Meets Peggy Johnson, daughter of industrialist R. P. Johnson, in December of that year.

1931

Makes his first cross country flight to Los Angeles. During his lifetime, clocks 15,000 hours of flight time in 270 different types of aircraft including helicopters, sail planes and gliders.

1933

Promoted to First Lieutenant in the U.S. Infantry Reserve. Proposes marriage to Peggy Johnson.

1934

Barry Goldwater and Peggy Johnson marry in her hometown of Muncie, Indiana.

1935

Enters his first photographic art exhibit at The First Annual Salon of The Arizona Pictorialists. Becomes a serious photographer exhibiting in over 200 juried shows nationally and internationally.

1936

First child, Joanne is born. Organizes winter relief flights to the Navajo Nation.

1937

Serves as General Chairman of the Phoenix Community Chest drive.

1938

Second child, Barry Jr. is born.

1939

Creates a national fad with Antsy Pants, men's underwear printed with large red ants. Women's Wear Daily describes him as a creative merchandising dynamo. Sells first photograph Coalmine Canyon to Arizona Highways.

1940

Publishes Arizona Portraits resulting in his induction into the Royal Photographic Society. Joins the Norman Nevills party on a trip down the Green and Colorado Rivers and for 42 days runs the rapids in a wooden boat. Becomes the 71st known person to travel the full length of the Colorado River. Shoots many photographs and a film Shooting the Rapids, which he takes on tour throughout Arizona. Third child, Michael is born.

1941

The Goldwater stores expand. The family business yields $1,000,000 annually. Becomes Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee of Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. Assigned as Public Relations Officer to Luke Air Force Base.

1942

Transferred to Yuma, Arizona where he oversees construction and requisitions supplies for an advanced flight school for combat pilots. Serves as an aerial gunnery instructor and perfects a technique that increases target accuracy. Participates in training programs for Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Chinese pilots. This program begins a life-long relationship with the Republic of China (Taiwan).

1943

Transferred to the 27th Ferry Squadron and is selected as one of the first 10 pilots to ferry P-47 Thunderbolts across the North Atlantic to Europe. Awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.

1944

Serves in the Asian Theatre and flies three major supply routes, Snowball, Crescent and Fireball. Assigned to fly The Hump (the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains), the last leg of a ten-thousand mile run. Promoted to Major and then Lt. Colonel. Fourth child, Peggy Jr. is born.

1945

Musters out of the U.S. Army Air Corps.

1946

Assigned by Arizona Governor Sydney Osborn as Captain of the Arizona National Guard. Advocates integration of the Arizona Guard, which was among the first to open its ranks to African-Americans.

1946

Campaigns for Arizona to become a Right to Work state in response to major strikes nationally. Appointed by Governor Sydney Osborn to the Arizona Colorado River Commission later renamed the Interstate Stream Commission. One of his photographs is selected for the cover of the first all color issue of Arizona Highways.

1947

Joins the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Thunderbirds. Promotes legislation for the Right to Work initiative. Phoenix Mayor Ray Busey appoints Barry Goldwater and 39 other leading citizens to a committee to study city government and suggest charter revisions and reforms. They become known as the Phoenix Forty.

1948

The Phoenix Charter Revision Committee announces its finding and recommends the appointment of a professional city manager who would be immune from political pressure. Asked by supporters to run for City Council.

1949

The Phoenix Charter Revision Committee reorganizes to become the Charter Government Committee, which provides a platform for reform-minded candidates who sweep the election. At age 40, wins a seat on the Phoenix City Council.

1950

Becomes Howard Pyle's campaign manager for Governor of Arizona.

1951

Re-elected to Phoenix City Council.

1952

Opens his campaign for U.S. Senate. Becomes Chief of Staff for the Arizona Air National Guard. Unseats Democrat incumbent Ernest McFarland by 6,500 votes.

1953

Gives first major speech in Senate and appeals for an end to federal price controls. In another debate, he criticizes France for its failure to move Indo-China towards independence.

1954

The Senator's first bill is signed by President Eisenhower. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to the City of Tucson, Arizona and to accept certain other lands in exchange.

1955

Asked to serve as Chair of the Republican Senate Campaign Committee. This launches his GOP leadership role as a national fundraiser and spokesman for emerging conservative beliefs.

1956

Collaborates with Stephen Shadegg on the script for the documentary For Freedom's Sake describing the dangers of communism. Campaigns to re-elect President Eisenhower to a second term.

1958

Wins a second term to the U.S. Senate over Arizona Governor Ernest McFarland by a 56% majority.

1959

Promoted to Brigadier General of the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Meets with Clarence Manion and a small group of conservatives in Chicago to discuss a national campaign to mobilize sentiment and delegate votes for the GOP presidential nomination. Establishes the Arizona Historical Foundation.

1960

Nominated by Arizona Governor Paul Fannin for President at the GOP National Convention. Arizona U.S. Congressman John Rhodes seconds the motion. Goldwater immediately withdraws his name and campaigns for Richard M. Nixon. Writes The Conscience of a Conservative. It becomes a best-seller, emphasizing his strong opposition to communism and fueling growth of the conservative political movement.

1961

President Kennedy asks Goldwater's advice during the Bay of Pigs invasion. He responds by advising him to order an air strike immediately or the mission would fail. Receives an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Arizona State University.

1962

The Bay of Pigs debacle precipitates the Cuban Missile Crisis. This prompts Goldwater to write Why Not Victory, which quickly becomes a bestseller and offers a foreign policy based on military strength. Promoted to Major General of the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

1963

Objects to the public accommodations section of the Civil Rights bill as an assault on property and states' rights. Already considering a run for the presidency, discusses a plan with John F. Kennedy to travel the country and campaign together. J.F.K is assassinated. Vice-President Lyndon Baines Johnson becomes the 36th President of the United States. Obtains HAM radio license for station K7UGA which is based out of his home.

1964

Publishes two books, Where I Stand and The Face of Arizona. Wins the Republican nomination for President. One much quoted line in his acceptance speech, written by Harry Jaffa, I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice and let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue has its origins in a speech by Cicero. Meets with President Johnson. Both agree to remain mute on the Civil Rights issue and maintain a united front against communism. Defeated by Lyndon Baines Johnson in a landslide.

1964

Goldwater v. Ginzburg - sues Fact Magazine, Inc. and Ralph Ginzburg for libel regarding the article The Unconscious of a Conservative: A Special Issue on the Mind of Barry Goldwater, which labeled him as severely paranoid personality who was unfit for office. Court rules in Goldwater's favor in 1970.

1965

Settles back to his home Be-Nun-I-Kin in Phoenix, Arizona. He and his former presidential campaign manager, Denison Kitchel, create the Free Society Association. Becomes active in local issues such as the preservation of Camelback Mountain. Continues to make numerous public appearances and receives thousands of letters from supporters and fans. Makes plans to run for the U.S. Senate.

1967

K7UGA approved to operate as part of the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) which is staffed by volunteers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By 1983 when the station closed, over 200,000 phone calls were patched from troops in Southeast Asia to family members in the U.S. Makes first visit to Taiwan.

1968

Supports Richard M. Nixon for the GOP presidential bid. Runs for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retiring Carl Hayden and defeats Roy Elson 274,607 to 205,338 votes. First order of business: a trip to Vietnam. Son, Barry Jr. wins a seat to the U.S House of Representatives from the 27th District of California in a campaign headed by his brother Michael.

1969

Introduces a joint resolution endorsing the Equal Rights Amendment. Receives an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Arizona. Retires from the Armed Forces of the U.S. as a Major General. Medals and decorations include: the China Defense and Battle Star, Asiatic Pacific Theatre, American Theatre, American Defense Medal, European Theatre, Army Commendations Medal, Reserve Officers' Medal, Air Medal, and the China Hump Pilots Medal.

1970

Publishes Conscience of a Majority and a book highlighting his river trip in 1940, Delightful Journey, Down the Green and Colorado Rivers. Authors the Overseas and Absentee Voting Rights Amendment and the National Air and Space Museum bills. Secures voting rights for all citizens age eighteen and older.

1971

Growing anti-ERA sentiments in Arizona and nationally persuade him to reject the amendment. Leads the effort to repeal the draft and establish an all volunteer military force.

1972

Watergate begins and is initially minimized by Goldwater. At age 65, thinks about retiring. President Nixon is re-elected.

1973

Receives the Wright Brothers Award for service in aviation.

1974

Watergate evidence mounts. He, Hugh Scott, and John Rhodes meet with President Nixon who resigns from office two days later. Vice-President Gerald Ford becomes the 38th President of the U.S. Goldwater runs for another term in the U.S. Senate and defeats Jonathan Marshall 320,306 to 229,523 votes. Authors the Grand Canyon Park Enlargement bill. Presented with the Aviation Space Writers Distinguished Service Award. Wins the Lee Badge as a sail plane pilot.

1975

Receives an Honorary Doctor of Aeronautical Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Butler University. Receives the Congressional Award for Outstanding Service for Veterans of Foreign Wars.

1976

Receives Congressional Award for AMVETS of World War II. Publishes The Coming Breakpoint. Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Jimmy Carter becomes the 39th President of the United States.

1977

Authors the Women Pilots Veterans' Benefits bill conferring veterans' status on Women Air Force Service Pilots. Appointed to Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents.

1978

Visits Panama and meets with General Omar Torrijos. Files a lawsuit, Goldwater v. Carter, for terminating a treaty without Senate consent. Lawsuit found in favor of the President of the U.S. in 1979. Receives an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Northern Arizona University. Awarded the Elder Statesman Award from the National Aeronautic Association, and the Thomas D. White National Defense Award from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

1979

Publishes his personal and political memoirs, With No Apologies.

1980

Decides to run a final time for the Senate and narrowly defeats Democrat William Schulz 432,371 to 422,972 votes.

1981

Supports the nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

1982

Joins liberals in attacking the New Right's efforts to legislate limits on the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

1984

Authors the Cable Deregulation Act.

1985

Peggy Goldwater dies after a long struggle with lung and heart failure.

1986

Co-authors Goldwater–Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act, which creates a strong Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making the holder of the post the principal military adviser to the President. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Retires from the U.S. Senate. U.S. Representative John McCain wins the vacated seat.

1988

Remains active in local and national politics. Continues to be in high demand as a speaker. Receives thousands of letters from friends, fans, and supporters. Becomes the Honorary Chair of the campaign to recall Governor Evan Mecham. Endorses George H. W. Bush over Robert Dole. Makes public service announcements to preserve ancient Native American sites from plunder. A total of 196 Goldwater photographs have now appeared in Arizona Highways.

1991

Inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame

1992

Marries Susan Shaffer Wechsler, a registered nurse and branch manager of a home health care agency. Endorses Democrat Karan English for the U.S. House of Representatives over Republican Douglas Wead. Speaks out against mixing religion and politics and for separation of church and state.

1993

Endorses a referendum making the birthday of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. a state holiday in contrast to his previous positions rejecting an MLK national holiday. Urges the Phoenix City Council to adopt a civil rights ordinance that would protect homosexuals from discrimination. States his position that gays be allowed to serve in the military.

1994

Honored by Planned Parenthood for his commitment to privacy and a woman's right to choose. Receives the Civil Libertarian of the Year Award from the Arizona Civil Liberties Union.

1996

Describes himself and Bob Dole as the new liberals of the Republican Party. Suffers his first stroke. Dole loses the presidential primary to Steve Forbes.

1998

May 29, Barry M. Goldwater dies at home due to complications of a stroke. He is later cremated. Both Barry and his wife Peggy's ashes are scattered along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.