Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. In September 1959, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Barrow graduated from the National War College in June 1968. Vietnam War Barrow served in the Vietnam War as commanding officer of the 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division (Rein) and was a Deputy G-3 in the III Marine Amphibious Force. While in command of the 9th Marines, he saw combat near the DMZ, Khe Sanh, Da Krong Valley, and A Shau Valley. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in Operation Dewey Canyon. Barrow's Distinguished Service Cross citation reads: General officer In August 1969, Barrow was promoted to brigadier general, then deployed to Japan to serve as commanding general at Camp Butler in Okinawa. He received a Legion of Merit for his three years of service and left Okinawa as a major general select. On promotion to major general, he became commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. Barrow was promoted to lieutenant general in 1975 and assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps as deputy chief of staff for manpower. In 1976, he was named commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, at Norfolk, Virginia. In July 1978, Barrow became the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, serving until July 1979 when he became the Commandant of the Marine Corps. From 1978 to 1979, Barrow also served as president of the Marine Corps Association. Barrow was the first commandant to serve, by law, as a regular full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As commandant, "he was instrumental in acquiring approval of production for the Marine Corps of the American-modified Harrier aircraft, in awakening interest in new and improved naval gunfire support, in getting amphibious ships included in the navy's new construction programs, and in returning hospital ships to the fleet, especially on station with Marine Corps amphibious task forces." In 1981, Barrow received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member General David C. Jones, USAF. Barrow retired from the Marine Corps on 30 June 1983, and was presented with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal upon retirement. Military awards Barrow's decorations, awards, and badges include: Post-military career After Barrow's retirement from the Marine Corps, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and to the president's Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management. In 1983, a letter from