Barlon Hightower was a Human male from the planet Lantillies. A former transport pilot for the various guilds in the Lantillian sector, he eventually opted to join the Alliance to Restore the Republic after deciding that staying neutral in the Galactic Civil War was no longer an option. Assigned to the Starfighter Corps, he was stationed on the planet Hoth in 3 ABY. During the Imperial assault on the planet, Hightower was assigned to Rogue Squadron, serving as a gunner aboard a snowspeeder piloted by Stevan Makintay. Hightower and Makintay survived the engagement and evacuated Hoth. Relocated to the planet Arbra, Hightower took part in search operations to locate ships and personnel lost during the evacuation.