Robert H. Barrow
| Robert H. Barrow | |
|---|---|
27th Commandant of the Marine Corps (1979–1983)
|
|
| Born |
February 5, 1922 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | October 30, 2008 (aged 86) St. Francisville, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1942–1983 |
| Rank |
General 
|
| Commands held |
|
| Battles/wars |
World War II * Defense of China Korean War * Battle of Inchon * Second Battle of Seoul * Battle of Chosin Reservoir Vietnam War * Operation Dewey Canyon |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Distinguished Service Cross Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Medal Legion of Merit (3), Combat "V" Bronze Star (2), Combat "V" Combat Action Ribbon |
| Other work | Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board |
Robert Hilliard Barrow (February 5, 1922 – October 30, 2008) was a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general. Barrow was the 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1979 to 1983. He served for 41 years, including overseas command duty in three wars. General Barrow was awarded the Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism during the Korean War and Vietnam War.
Barrow was born on February 5, 1922, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and grew up on his family’s Rosale Plantation in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. The family’s circumstances were difficult. They had no electricity, so Barrow satisfied an early passion for reading by using a kerosene lamp.
Because it offered free tuition and low boarding costs, Barrow attended Louisiana State University from 1939 to 1942, working as a waiter and a janitor and served in the university's Corps of Cadets.
In 1942, Barrow left the university early to join the Marine Corps. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and was retained as a Drill Instructor after his graduation. While serving on the drill field, he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School in February 1943. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on May 19, 1943.
Barrow served in China during World War II. He was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Group China, Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) from August 1944 to November 1945. SACO was a U.S. trained and equipped Chinese guerilla team in Japanese-occupied Central China. He is said by his son to have described his China service as one of his "most vivid experiences". For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V".
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