General Robert H. Barrow 1922–2008
Gen Barrow was born on 5 February 1922 in Baton Rouge, La. He graduated from high school in 1939 and enrolled at Louisiana State University. In March 1942, he enlisted in the Platoon Leader’s Class Program. He left school in the fall of 1942 and went to boot camp in San Diego, Calif., staying on after graduation as a drill instructor. Selected for Officer Candidates School, he left San Diego for Quantico, Va., in March 1943, and on 19 May 1943, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Marines.
Following officer training, he was assigned to Marine Barracks, Naval Ammunition Depot, New Orleans. He was reassigned in February 1944 to the 51st Replacement Battalion in Camp Lejeune. During the last 7 months of World War II, he led an American team serving with Chinese guerrilla forces in Japanese-occupied central China.
After World War II, he served as aide-de-camp to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. He completed Amphibious Warfare School, Junior Course, in June 1949 and was transferred to the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was given command of “Able” Company, 1st Battalion, Second Marine Regiment.
At the beginning of the Korean War, his company was transferred to Camp Pendleton and redesignated Able Co, 1/1, 1st MarDiv. He led Able Co ashore at Inchon, Korea in September 1950. For his leadership in the fighting on the outskirts of Seoul, he was awarded the Silver Star. During the Chosin Reservoir Campaign he was awarded the Navy Cross for the seizure and defense of Hill 1081, 9-10 Dec.1950.
After the Korean War he was reassigned as Officer in Charge, Infantry Desk, Enlisted Assignments, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC). From there, he was detailed out and sent on a classified assignment to the Far East, north of Taiwan. He returned to HQMC, this time to the G–3 (Operations). In February 1956, he returned to Camp Lejeune where he served first as operations officer and then executive officer of 2/6. He joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit at Tulane University in 1957 and served as Marine Officer Instructor for three years.
Returning to Quantico, he completed a tour with the Landing Force Development Center and attended the Officer’s Senior Course in 1963. He left for another tour in the Pacific where he served as G–3, III Marine Amphibious Force, then G–3 Plans Officer, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific in Hawaii. Attendance at the National War College followed.
Upon graduation in 1968, he arrived in South Vietnam to take command of 9th Marines, 3dMarDiv. The regiment conducted a series of highly successful operations south of the western part of the demilitarized zone and in the Khe Sanh and Ba Long Valley areas. For his valor during Operation DEWEY CANYON from 22 January to 18 March 1969, he received the Distinguished Service Cross.
Gen Leonard F. Chapman, 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps, promoted him to brigadier general in August 1969. Gen Barrow’s first tour as a general officer was as CG, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Okinawa, where he served for three years. He then served as CG, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island for 32 months. In July 1975, he was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, HQMC.
The following year he became CG, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Norfolk, VA. He was Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1978 until one year later when he assumed the office as Commandant. Befitting his reputation and stature, when Gen Barrow stepped down as 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps on 26 June 1983, President Ronald W. Reagan presided over the ceremony at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. Gen Barrow returned to Louisiana where he lived in retirement.
Gen Barrow was a three-war Marine with unparalleled experience in conventional and irregular conflict. He commanded at every level. His deep sense of purpose and abiding love of the Corps propelled him from the rank of private to general and the Office of the Commandant. He was the first Marine to serve a regular 4-year tour as a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He was a leader in personnel reform and was instrumental in the decision to make the commanding generals of the recruit depots the two chief regional recruiters. He believed a better quality of recruit led to an increase in performance and retention. As such, he advocated an increase in the percentage of high school graduates and screening programs for recruiters and drill instructors. As Commandant he addressed substance abuse and alcoholism by ending the tolerance of drug abusers and problem drinkers. Under his steady hand the Marine Corps reached a plateau of excellence in attracting and retaining quality men and women.
In the essay he wrote for the book, “Commandants of the Marine Corps,” Brigadier General Edwin Simmons quoted the personal credo of Gen Barrow: “In any institution or undertaking, the importance of people transcends all else.” Gen Barrow maintained, throughout his life, an abiding love and respect for his Marines. We, in turn, will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his wife Patty, who passed away on 13 Feb. 2006.
General and Mrs. Barrow are survived by five children, Charles C. Pulliam of Greenville, S.C., Cathleen P. Harmon of Killeen, Texas, Barbara B. Kanegaye of Houston, Texas, Mary B. Hannigan of Oakton, Va. and LtCol Robert H. Barrow USMC (Ret) of Tampa, Fla., eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A private funeral for family and friends will be held on November 3 at 1:00 p.m. Pallbearers are sons Charles C. Pulliam and LtCol. Robert H. Barrow, USMC (Ret); grandsons Richard S. Bassett, Robert C. Bassett, Collin J. Hannigan, Mark J. Hannigan, Pierce T. Hannigan, S. Denham Turner III, and Scott B. Turner; and nephews Emmette E. Barrow (former USN) and Bertrand H. Barrow (former USMC).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to: The Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery Fund, 11621 Ferdinand Street, St. Francisville, LA 70775; The Injured Marine/Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB #609, Oceanside, CA 92057 (note donation made in Memory of General Barrow); and/or The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Donations, Neuro-Oncology Department, P.O. Box 301402 - Unit 431, Houston, TX 77230-1402 (The address for the UT Cancer Center must read exactly as indicated for funds to reach the Cancer Center).