thedrifter
11-06-08, 06:37 AM
ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. — Hundreds of people huddled beneath massive oak trees next to Grace Episcopal Church Nov. 3 to pay their last respects to Gen. Robert H. Barrow, 27th commandant of the Marine Corps.
“Gen. Barrow really focused on people, he believed that it wasn’t so important how many people became Marines, but their quality,” said Lt. Gen. Jack Bergman, commander of Marine Forces Reserve. “He knew that the quality of his Marines would help over come the challenges facing the Corps.”
Another Marine at the ceremony said Barrow’s belief and dedication to the Corps may only have been rivaled by the Marines’ determination to honor him one last time.
“He deserves everything we can do for him,” said Gunnery Sgt. William Dixon, Marine Corps funeral director. “It’s nothing for us to dedicate this time and work to a man that worked for more than forty years for the Marine Corps.”
Barrow’s family, who has been a part of the St. Francisville community even before the Civil War, is well known throughout the town. Many residents also consider him somewhat of a legend.
“I think that it’s really inspiring to know that an American hero lives in your town,” said Dorothy Hammond, a neighbor and local shop owner. “Even in his death, Gen. Barrow has brought something beautiful (the ceremony) to this sleepy town.”
Gen. James Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, and Gen. Carl Mundy, former commandant of the Marine Corps from 1991-1995, participated in the ceremony by delivering the eulogy and presenting the burial colors to Barrow’s next of kin.
According to an article published in the Advocate (La.) newspaper, Conway praised Barrow for his many initiatives ranging from recruiting to training.
“He did a lot to enhance our war-fighting capability, and on a strategic level, moved the Corps into the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was a powerful kind of statesman,” Conway was quoted as saying.
Conway added “Our country is a safer place and the U.S. Marine Corps a better institution because of Gen. Robert H. Barrow.”
Barrow, who died in his sleep Oct. 30, joined the Marine Corps in 1942 and was commissioned in 1943, after which he deployed to the Far East with the 51st Replacement Battalion out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Shortly thereafter, Barrow received the Bronze Star for serving in Japanese-occupied central China. In June 1949, he assumed command of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
Barrow led Marines ashore at Inchon in September 1950. He received the Silver Star after fighting in Seoul, Korea, and the Navy Cross for actions during the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in December 1950.
In the early 1950’s, Barrow was assigned to a then-classified position in the Far East on an island chain north of Taiwan. Then, in 1968 after serving in several overseas billets, Barrow took command of 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, in South Vietnam. In 1969, he received the Army Distinguished Service Cross for his valor during Operation Dewey Canyon. Later that year, he was promoted to brigadier general and took command of Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan.
During his tenure as commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Barrow began a crusade to improve the quality of Marines being recruited into the Corps. He was selected as the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps in 1978.
In 1979, Congress confirmed Barrow as the commandant of the Marine Corps. He was the first Marine to serve a regular four-year tour as a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He continued his leadership in personnel reform, believing that a better quality of recruit led to an increase in performance and retention in an all-volunteer service.
Barrow retired in the summer of 1983 and served on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and the Packard Commission from his home in St. Francisville, La.
Barrow’s personal decorations include the Navy Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, three Legions of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Combat V and gold star in lieu of a second award, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
“Gen. Barrow really focused on people, he believed that it wasn’t so important how many people became Marines, but their quality,” said Lt. Gen. Jack Bergman, commander of Marine Forces Reserve. “He knew that the quality of his Marines would help over come the challenges facing the Corps.”
Another Marine at the ceremony said Barrow’s belief and dedication to the Corps may only have been rivaled by the Marines’ determination to honor him one last time.
“He deserves everything we can do for him,” said Gunnery Sgt. William Dixon, Marine Corps funeral director. “It’s nothing for us to dedicate this time and work to a man that worked for more than forty years for the Marine Corps.”
Barrow’s family, who has been a part of the St. Francisville community even before the Civil War, is well known throughout the town. Many residents also consider him somewhat of a legend.
“I think that it’s really inspiring to know that an American hero lives in your town,” said Dorothy Hammond, a neighbor and local shop owner. “Even in his death, Gen. Barrow has brought something beautiful (the ceremony) to this sleepy town.”
Gen. James Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, and Gen. Carl Mundy, former commandant of the Marine Corps from 1991-1995, participated in the ceremony by delivering the eulogy and presenting the burial colors to Barrow’s next of kin.
According to an article published in the Advocate (La.) newspaper, Conway praised Barrow for his many initiatives ranging from recruiting to training.
“He did a lot to enhance our war-fighting capability, and on a strategic level, moved the Corps into the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was a powerful kind of statesman,” Conway was quoted as saying.
Conway added “Our country is a safer place and the U.S. Marine Corps a better institution because of Gen. Robert H. Barrow.”
Barrow, who died in his sleep Oct. 30, joined the Marine Corps in 1942 and was commissioned in 1943, after which he deployed to the Far East with the 51st Replacement Battalion out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Shortly thereafter, Barrow received the Bronze Star for serving in Japanese-occupied central China. In June 1949, he assumed command of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
Barrow led Marines ashore at Inchon in September 1950. He received the Silver Star after fighting in Seoul, Korea, and the Navy Cross for actions during the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in December 1950.
In the early 1950’s, Barrow was assigned to a then-classified position in the Far East on an island chain north of Taiwan. Then, in 1968 after serving in several overseas billets, Barrow took command of 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, in South Vietnam. In 1969, he received the Army Distinguished Service Cross for his valor during Operation Dewey Canyon. Later that year, he was promoted to brigadier general and took command of Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan.
During his tenure as commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Barrow began a crusade to improve the quality of Marines being recruited into the Corps. He was selected as the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps in 1978.
In 1979, Congress confirmed Barrow as the commandant of the Marine Corps. He was the first Marine to serve a regular four-year tour as a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He continued his leadership in personnel reform, believing that a better quality of recruit led to an increase in performance and retention in an all-volunteer service.
Barrow retired in the summer of 1983 and served on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and the Packard Commission from his home in St. Francisville, La.
Barrow’s personal decorations include the Navy Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, three Legions of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Combat V and gold star in lieu of a second award, and the Combat Action Ribbon.