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.[1]
Because it offered free tuition and low boarding costs, Barrow attended Louisiana State University from 1939 to 1942,[3] working as a waiter and a janitor and served in the university's Corps of Cadets.[1]
Barrow served in China during World War II. He was a first lieutenant in the United States Navy Group China, Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) from August 1944 to November 1945. SACO was a United States trained and equipped Chinese guerilla team in Japanese-occupied Central China. Barrow is said by his son to have described his China service as one of his "most vivid experiences".[6] For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V".[7]
Korean War
Barrow commanded Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines during the Korean War and participated in the Inchon-Seoul campaign and in the Chosin Reservoir campaign. He has been described as the "finest company commander" of the Korean War.[6] For his heroism in holding a pass near Koto-ri on December 9–10, 1950, he was awarded the Navy Cross.[5]
Barrow's Navy Cross citation reads:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to ROBERT H. BARROW (0-23471), CAPTAIN, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Koto-ri, Korea, on 9 and 10 December 1950. Ordered to seize and occupy the high ground on Hill 1081 dominating the pass below and held by a heavily-fortified, deeply-entrenched enemy of approximately battalion strength controlling all approaches to his company's objective, Captain BARROW boldly led his company up the ice covered, windswept, razor backed ridge in a blinding snowstorm and, employing artillery, mortars and close air support, launched a well-coordinated attack. With his forward assault platoon suddenly brought under withering automatic weapons, small-arms and mortar fire from commanding ground as they moved along the narrow snow-covered ridge toward a bare mountain top studded with hostile bunkers and foxholes, he fearlessly advanced to the front under blistering shellfire, directing and deploying his men and shouting words of encouragement as they followed him to close with the enemy in furious hand-to-hand combat. Reorganizing his depleted units following the bitter conflict, he spearheaded a daring and skillful enveloping maneuver, striking the enemy by surprise on the right flank and destroying many emplacements as he continued the final drive up the steep slope in the face of heavy automatic weapons and grenade fire to secure the objective with a total loss to the enemy of more than 300 dead and wounded. By his gallant and forceful leadership, great personal valor and fortitude maintained in the face of overwhelming odds, Captain BARROW aided immeasurably in insuring the safe passage of the First Marine Division through this hazardous pass, and his inspiring devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.[8]
Interwar years
In February 1956, Barrow began an 18-month tour with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From the summer of 1957 to the summer of 1960, he served as the Marine Officer Instructor, at the Tulane UniversityNaval Reserve Officer Training Corps. In September 1959, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.[5] Barrow graduated from the National War College in June 1968.[5]
Barrow's Distinguished Service Cross citation reads:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS to ROBERT H. BARROW (0-23471), COLONEL, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters, Ninth Marine Regiment, Third Marine Division (Reinforced). Colonel BARROW distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period from 22 January to 18 March 1969 while commanding a regiment in Operation DEWEY CANYON in Quang Tri Province. Throughout the eight-week campaign in the Da Krong and A Shau Valleys, Colonel BARROW remained with the forward elements of his command, directing their insertion into enemy-held territory. Despite adverse flying conditions, he made numerous low-level reconnaissance flights in his command helicopter. Under his supervision, his troops swept the determined North Vietnamese forces back to the Laotian border, decimating countless fortifications and base camps and confiscating prodigious quantities of communist weapons and munitions. Despite the continuous hostile artillery and rocket bombardment of his command post, he persisted in retaining his position in close proximity to the enemy activity. During one concentrated attack on his post, he repeatedly exposed himself to the withering hostile fusillade in order to direct the repulsion of the enemy. After the two-month operation, his regiment confirmed over one thousand three hundred dead and accounted for tremendous amounts of captured North Vietnamese equipment. Colonel BARROW'S extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Marine Corps.[9][10]
General officer
In August 1969, Barrow was promoted to brigadier general, then deployed to Japan to serve as commanding general at Camp Butler in Okinawa. He received a Legion of Merit for his three years of service and left Okinawa as a major general select. On promotion to major general, he became commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island.
Barrow was the first commandant to serve, by law, as a regular full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As commandant, "he was instrumental in acquiring approval of production for the Marine Corps of the American-modified Harrier aircraft, in awakening interest in new and improved naval gunfire support, in getting amphibious ships included in the navy's new construction programs, and in returning hospital ships to the fleet, especially on station with Marine Corps amphibious task forces."[5]
After Barrow's retirement from the Marine Corps, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and to the president's Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management.[15]
In 1983, a letter from Barrow to Caspar W. Weinberger was released by the Pentagon. In the letter, Barrow criticized Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, saying that the Israelis were firing on United States troops, among other things. Israel denied the charges.[1]
Barrow's wife of 53 years, Patty, died in 2005.
Funeral of General Robert H. Barrow.
Barrow died on October 30, 2008, at the age of 86.[16] He was survived by his sons Charles C. Pulliam, of Greenville, South Carolina, and Robert H. Barrow, a retired lieutenant colonel of Marines, of Tampa, Florida; his daughters Cathleen P. Harmon, of Killeen, Texas, Barbara B. Kanegaye, of Houston, Texas, and Mary B. Hannigan, of Oakton, Virginia, eleven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.[1]
^Labranche, Cpl. Frans E. (November 4, 2008). "Marine Corps honor 27th commandant". Marine Corps News. United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on November 12, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
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