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We will miss him’
Corps’ 27th commandant dies at age 86
Aformer Marine Corps commandant died Oct. 30, leaving a legacy that includes earning two of the military’s top medals and becoming the first Marine to serve four years on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Retired Gen. Robert Barrow, 86, was the Corps’ 27th commandant from 1979 to 1983. In an e-mail to top officers, Commandant Gen. James Conway credited Barrow with addressing substance abuse in the Corps, revamping the command structure of recruit depots and advocating better screening for drill instructors and recruiters.
“General Barrow maintained … an abiding love and respect for his Marines,” Conway said. “We, in turn, will miss him greatly.” Barrow served in three wars. During World War II, he earned the first of two Bronze Stars after leading an American team serving with Chinese guerilla forces in Japanese-occupied central China. As a captain in Korea, he and his company helped seize the South Korean capital of Seoul. Barrow earned a Silver Star for those efforts. His company later fought Chinese troops at the Chosin Reservoir. For his leadership there, he earned a Navy Cross.
In Vietnam, Barrow led a major offensive against the North Vietnamese and was awarded the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, becoming one of only 60 Marines to earn the Army’s second-highest honor since the beginning of World War II.
Barrow is remembered for a quote frequently repeated throughout the military when discussing the importance of preparedness: “Amateurs talk about tactics,” he said, “but professionals study logistics.”
— Dan Lamothe
Corps’ 27th commandant dies at age 86
Aformer Marine Corps commandant died Oct. 30, leaving a legacy that includes earning two of the military’s top medals and becoming the first Marine to serve four years on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Retired Gen. Robert Barrow, 86, was the Corps’ 27th commandant from 1979 to 1983. In an e-mail to top officers, Commandant Gen. James Conway credited Barrow with addressing substance abuse in the Corps, revamping the command structure of recruit depots and advocating better screening for drill instructors and recruiters.
“General Barrow maintained … an abiding love and respect for his Marines,” Conway said. “We, in turn, will miss him greatly.” Barrow served in three wars. During World War II, he earned the first of two Bronze Stars after leading an American team serving with Chinese guerilla forces in Japanese-occupied central China. As a captain in Korea, he and his company helped seize the South Korean capital of Seoul. Barrow earned a Silver Star for those efforts. His company later fought Chinese troops at the Chosin Reservoir. For his leadership there, he earned a Navy Cross.
In Vietnam, Barrow led a major offensive against the North Vietnamese and was awarded the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, becoming one of only 60 Marines to earn the Army’s second-highest honor since the beginning of World War II.
Barrow is remembered for a quote frequently repeated throughout the military when discussing the importance of preparedness: “Amateurs talk about tactics,” he said, “but professionals study logistics.”
— Dan Lamothe
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