A Methuen native is serving aboard the U.S. Navy warship USS Barry as it undergoes routine maintenance in a Seattle shipyard.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Quinn Farrell, graduated from Methuen High School in 2021 and joined the Navy three years ago. He serves as a cryptologic technician, a maintenance post, as part of a crew of more than 300 sailors aboard Barry.
“Growing up in the Merrimack Valley taught me to have an open mind and to maintain the ability to adapt in different environments,” said Farrell. “These values have helped me interact respectfully with people from different walks of life.”
He follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who both served in the military. “My grandfather was in the Air Force and my father was a boatswain’s mate in the Navy. My family was personally impacted by 9/11 because a friend of my grandmother’s was a pilot aboard one of the planes. From a young age, I learned about that tragedy and knew early in my life that I wanted to serve in the military.”
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
Farrell said he is “most proud” to have scored at the top of his class during the security reaction force course in Pearl Harbor.” said Farrell. He added he was proud to be awarded the honor graduate of the course.
“I want to thank my mom, dad and aunts for their unwavering support,” said Farrell. “They are my primary motivating force.”