David was born on the 22nd of July, 1876 in Reelsboro, North Carolina, and shortly after joining the US Navy, he was deployed to Cuba and it was his actions that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Barrow set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

David Duffy Barrow died on the 6th of December, 1948 at the age of 72 and is buried in the Evergreen Memorial Park in Portsmouth, Virginia; section F, lot 242.