General Robert H. Barrow - MCRD - San Diego, CA
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 32° 44.564 W 117° 11.679
11S E 481764 N 3622783
At the MCRD Museum, access open to the public every day.
Waymark Code: WMZXR9
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 01/20/2019
Views: 0
County of painting: San Diego County
Location of memorial: Hochmuth Ave, James L. Day Hall Museum, MCRD
MCRD: Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Artist: Alvin B. Grant
Plaque Text:
Gen Robert H. Barrow, 27th Commandant, United States marine Corps, 1 July 1979 - 30 June 1983. General Barrow was born 5 February 1922 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and died 30 October 2008.
Robert Barrow enlisted in the Platoon Leader's Class Program at Louisiana State University in March 1942 and in the fall he left school and went to boot camp in San Diego. After graduation, he stayed on as a drill instructor. In March 1943 he was selected for Officer Candidate School. On 19 May 1943 he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Marines. During the last seven months of World War II, he led an American team serving with Chinese guerilla [sic] forces in Japanese-occupied Central China.
As a captain during the Korean War, he led a rifle company ashore during the Inchon Landing in September 1950 and fought through the outskirts of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Two months later, his rifle company fought Chinese forces at the Chosin Reservoir. From 9 - 10 December, Barrow's vastly outnumbered Marines seized and defended Hill 1081.
In 1968 and 1969, as a colonel, Barrow led the 9th Marines through a series of operations in the Khe Sanh and Ba Long Valleys. For his "extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty" during Operation Dewey Canyon, he became one of only 60 Marines to earn the Army's Distinguished Service Cross.
General Barrow became the first Marine to serve regular four-year term 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 two recruit depots the two chief regional recruiters. As Commandant he ended the practice of tolerating the substance and alcohol abuse.
General Barrow's medals and decorations include the Navy Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Department of the Army Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon.