Cool. A quick Google turned up these two very similar accounts of a 'Robert Leon Barrows'... what are the chances that it's the same guy? I wish it said something about him spending time "down under"... http://genealogytrails.com/sdak/beadle/Military/WWII_theirstories2.html https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56786793 I could only find one reference to someone with the exact same name, but no real details other than b.1906-d.1975. Very unique name.
I found a document "1942 WWII Navy Muster Rolls for Leon Robert Barrows" but I have to join some membership to download the document. Havent done it... yet. I think you found our guy. Died in the Philippines in 1942.
I'm guessing that Barrows had it made in Australia before he left for the Philippines where he was KIA at Bataan. If he has any family left, I'd bet that they would love to have it. Chris
Found this, the service number matches the one on the coin: From U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 REPORT OF CHANGES, Mar 21 1943 U.S.S. Lark (AM21) for month ending 28th day of February 1943, Southwest Pacific Area BARROWS, Leon Robert 214-65-62 CMoMM(AA) Records not Received. More records: U.S.S. Lark again: For the month ending 24th day of April 1943, date of sailing from Advance Base, W.A. to Fremantle, W.A. (Western Australia) Barrows... Records not received U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945 lists a Barrows Robert Leon, service number 3165773
Yeah, I found the guys son in law. He died in Norfolk, VA. It is being returned to the family, where it belongs.