World War II
-
MIA
Fallen

West Fargo, ND


County:
Cass

Date of Loss:

Branch of Service:
Navy

Rank:
Fireman 1c

Listed on/in the:
Register of North Dakota Veterans World War II 1941-1945 and Korean Conflict 1950-1953, published 1968

Major Battle/Theatre:
Asiatic Pacific Theater

Engagements/Battles:
Battle of Rennell Island

Circumstances:

The Chicago, in what was known as the Battle of Rennell Island, was first hit by two torpedoes on January 29th and disabled. Multiple crewmen were lost in this first attack.

On the 30th she was being towed to port when she was hit by 4 more torpedos which caused more crewmen to be lost and the Chicago to sink.

Robert, who was in the after engine room, was declared "Missing In Action" in the first attack on the Chicago during the war.

Biography:

Robert served as a Fireman First Class, U.S.S. Chicago (CA-29), U.S. Navy during World War II.

He resided in North Dakota prior to the war.

The Chicago, in what was known as the Battle of Rennell Island, was first hit by two torpedoes on January 29th and disabled. Multiple crewmen were lost in this first attack.

On the 30th she was being towed to port when she was hit by 4 more torpedoes which caused more crewmen to be lost and the Chicago to sink.

Robert, who was in the after engine room, was declared "Missing In Action" in the first attack on the Chicago during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Buried at Manila American Cemetery.