support Prime Minister John Howard's assertion that refugees had thrown their children overboard from their sinking vessel. Barrie retired on 3 July 2002, and was succeeded as CDF by General Peter Cosgrove. A graduate of the Britannia Royal Naval College, Barrie completed through part-time study a Bachelor of Arts with majors in International Relations and Politics in 1983 and was conferred a Master of Business Administration in 1996 by Deakin University. He was made a Commander of the Legion of Merit by the United States in 2003. References External links Vietnam War Nominal Roll entry , accessed 23 August 2005. Senior Military Appointments Government press release detailing the military appointments for 2000. 1945 births Australian military personnel of the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation Australian military personnel of the Vietnam War Chiefs of the Defence Force (Australia) Commanders of the Legion of Merit Companions of the Order of Australia Deakin University alumni Deputy Chiefs of Naval Staff (Australia) Graduates of Britannia Royal Naval College Living people People educated at North Sydney Boys High School People from Sydney Recipients of the Centenary Medal Recipients of the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) Royal Australian Navy admirals Vice Chiefs of the Defence Force (Australia) Military personnel from New South Wales