Robert Hilliard Barrow (February 5, 1922 – October 30, 2008) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general. Barrow was the 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1979 to 1983. He served for 41 years, including overseas command duty in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Barrow was awarded the Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in Korea and Vietnam, respectively. Early life Barrow was born on February 5, 1922, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and grew up on his family's Rosale Plantation in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. The family's circumstances were difficult. They had no electricity, so Barrow satisfied an early passion for reading by using a kerosene lamp. Because it offered free tuition and low boarding costs, Barrow attended Louisiana State University from 1939 to 1942, working as a waiter and a janitor and served in the university's Corps of Cadets. Marine Corps career World War II In 1942, Barrow left the university early to join the United States Marine Corps. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and was retained as a Drill Instructor after his graduation. While serving on the drill field, he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School in February 1943. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on May 19, 1943. Barrow served in China during World War II. He was a first lieutenant in the United States Navy Group China, Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) from August 1944 to November 1945. SACO was a United States trained and equipped Chinese guerilla team in Japanese-occupied Central China. Barrow is said by his son to have described his China service as one of his "most vivid experiences". For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V". Korean War Barrow commanded Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines during the Korean War and participated in the Inchon-Seoul campaign and in the Chosin Reservoir campaign. He has been described as the "finest company commander" of the Korean War. For his heroism in holding a pass near Koto-ri on December 9–10, 1950, he was awarded the Navy Cross. Barrow's Navy Cross citation reads: Interwar years In February 1956, Barrow began an 18-month tour with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From the summer of 1957 to the summer of 1960, he served as the Marine Officer Instructor, at the Tulane University