thedrifter
08-02-04, 03:00 PM
August 02, 2004
The Lore of the Corps
27th commandant fought in China, Korea and Vietnam
By Robert F. Dorr
Special to the Times
Few Marines contributed as much to the Corps or saw as much action as Gen. Robert H. Barrow, a 41-year Marine who fought in three wars and served from 1979 to 1983 as the Corps’ 27th commandant.
Barrow became a drill instructor weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and, in 1943, he attended Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Va.
During World War II, he led an American team into action with a Chinese guerrilla force in Japanese-occupied central China. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor for his role in guerrilla operations.
In the Korean War, Barrow was a captain and rifle company commander during the Inchon invasion. His company seized the industrial suburb of Yongdongpo as a prelude to Marines taking the South Korean capital, Seoul, in September 1950.
A few weeks later, Barrow’s rifle company fought Chinese troops at the Chosin Reservoir. The Marines were vastly outnumbered in a point-blank battle fought in driving snow and sub-zero temperatures. During a furious night battle on the reverse slope of Hill 1081, Barrow’s Marines were close enough to the Chinese to fight with bayonets. Barrow was awarded the Navy Cross.
As a colonel, Barrow fought in South Vietnam as commander of the 9th Marines and continued duty with the III Marine Amphibious Force. For heroic action in one battle, Barrow was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
He continued to move up the ranks, and assumed the Corps’ top job on July 1, 1979 — becoming the first Marine commandant to serve as a full-fledged member on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Troubled times
But it was a difficult time for the Corps. The armed forces were struggling to cope with drug-abuse problems, racial tensions and an all-volunteer personnel system. Some leaders felt the Corps recruited some subpar Marines.
Also during Barrow’s tenure, which straddled the Carter and Reagan administrations, some said the Corps did not work hard enough on basic support for combat troops in the field.
It was at a Pentagon meeting that Barrow uttered the legendary quote: “Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics.”
Barrow and his family retired to St. Francisville, La., in 1983.
Robert F. Dorr, an Air Force veteran, lives in Oakton, Va. He is the author of numerous books on Air Force topics, including “Air Force One.” His e-mail address is robert.f.dorr@ cox.net.
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-MARINEPAPER-275126.php
Ellie
The Lore of the Corps
27th commandant fought in China, Korea and Vietnam
By Robert F. Dorr
Special to the Times
Few Marines contributed as much to the Corps or saw as much action as Gen. Robert H. Barrow, a 41-year Marine who fought in three wars and served from 1979 to 1983 as the Corps’ 27th commandant.
Barrow became a drill instructor weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and, in 1943, he attended Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Va.
During World War II, he led an American team into action with a Chinese guerrilla force in Japanese-occupied central China. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor for his role in guerrilla operations.
In the Korean War, Barrow was a captain and rifle company commander during the Inchon invasion. His company seized the industrial suburb of Yongdongpo as a prelude to Marines taking the South Korean capital, Seoul, in September 1950.
A few weeks later, Barrow’s rifle company fought Chinese troops at the Chosin Reservoir. The Marines were vastly outnumbered in a point-blank battle fought in driving snow and sub-zero temperatures. During a furious night battle on the reverse slope of Hill 1081, Barrow’s Marines were close enough to the Chinese to fight with bayonets. Barrow was awarded the Navy Cross.
As a colonel, Barrow fought in South Vietnam as commander of the 9th Marines and continued duty with the III Marine Amphibious Force. For heroic action in one battle, Barrow was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
He continued to move up the ranks, and assumed the Corps’ top job on July 1, 1979 — becoming the first Marine commandant to serve as a full-fledged member on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Troubled times
But it was a difficult time for the Corps. The armed forces were struggling to cope with drug-abuse problems, racial tensions and an all-volunteer personnel system. Some leaders felt the Corps recruited some subpar Marines.
Also during Barrow’s tenure, which straddled the Carter and Reagan administrations, some said the Corps did not work hard enough on basic support for combat troops in the field.
It was at a Pentagon meeting that Barrow uttered the legendary quote: “Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics.”
Barrow and his family retired to St. Francisville, La., in 1983.
Robert F. Dorr, an Air Force veteran, lives in Oakton, Va. He is the author of numerous books on Air Force topics, including “Air Force One.” His e-mail address is robert.f.dorr@ cox.net.
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-MARINEPAPER-275126.php
Ellie