Ben Barberry served as a 1st Lieutenant and anti-mobile suit tactical squad leader in the Earth Federation Forces during the One Year War, assigned to the 44th Mechanized Composite Regiment under Major Michael Colmatta. He carried the burden of being the sole survivor of his previous unit's total destruction, an experience that triggered recurring visions of a spectral Death Deity he saw as an omen of death stalking him and his comrades.

Before the Federation deployed its own mobile suits, Barberry developed significant expertise combating Zeon's mobile suits using unconventional infantry tactics. He achieved multiple successful engagements against MS-06J Zaku II Ground Types through meticulously planned rocket launcher ambushes. One documented operation saw him personally destroy a Zaku II by exploiting terrain advantages, including a large pothole and guided missiles.

Barberry's final mission occurred during a Federation tank offensive. Tasked with eliminating three Zakus, he led his squad. After destroying two Zakus and losing all his squad members, a third Zaku emerged unexpectedly from underground. Confronted by the mobile suit and recognizing imminent death, Barberry defiantly drew his service pistol, fired at the Zaku, and shouted. This action resulted in his confirmed death. The spectral Death Deity appeared during his final moments, completing the recurring supernatural motif. His combat record demonstrated proficiency in asymmetric warfare against superior opponents, though his tactical successes culminated in the fatal engagement that ended his service.