Wookieepedia:Featured article queue/January 31, 2009

Barrow Oicunn was an officer in the Republic Navy and later, an admiral in the Imperial Navy. When the Clone Wars broke out and affected the galaxy at large, Oicunn joined the Humbarine Sector defense forces, which had recently fallen under the jurisdiction of the Galactic Republic war council. Oicunn's homeworld, Humbarine, suffered repeated attacks from the Confederacy of Independent Systems, prompting the junior officer to adopt inspired tactics within the limitations of Republic protocol. As the war ground on, defense forces were siphoned from Humbarine by the Republic, resulting in a devastating strike from General Grievous. Oicunn's family perished in the decisive Battle of Humbarine, and the planet was abandoned, forcing Oicunn to both reassess his faith in the government, and serve with the mainstream Republic Navy.

Serving with the Coruscant Home Fleet, Oicunn met his sector's representative, Bana Breemu, who declared him a hero of Humbarine. He served aboard the Mas Ramdar during the Battle of Coruscant, and continued to fight for the Republic, despite his disenchantment with their policies. Oicunn welcomed Palpatine's New Order, believing that a Galactic Empire would be able to maintain peace and justice throughout the galaxy. The lieutenant had the utmost respect for the rulers of the new regime, and swiftly rose through the ranks of the Imperial Navy, eventually reaching the rank of admiral.