World War II Honoree

Robert Donald Rakip, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Ayer, Massachusetts

Honored By

Charles B. Church III

ENTERED THE UNITED STATES NAVY IN 1943 FROM AYER, MASSACHUSETTS. BOOT CAMP IN SAMPSON, NEW YORK, ARMED GUARD SCHOOL AT CAMP SHELTON, VIRGINIA FOR GUNNER'S MATE TRAINING. LANDING CRAFT TRAINING AT CAMP BRADFORD, VIRGINIA. ASSIGNED TO LST-739 TANK LANDING SHIP AS A 20 MM AND 40 MM ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNNER. SAW ACTION IN THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS IN THE LEYTE GULF. LANDED TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT IN ORMOC TO CUT OFF ENEMY SUPPLY ROUTES TO MANILA. ALSO PERFORMED LANDINGS IN OKINAWA AND GUADALCANAL, AND MANY OTHER ISLAND LOCATIONS OFTEN UNDER ATTACK BY KAMIKAZE ENEMY AIRCRAFT. WRITTEN COMMENDATION WAS ISSUED TO THE CREW OF LST-739 BY VICE ADMIRAL STRUBLE; 'SPLENDID PERFORMANCE OF DUTY AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE HAZARDOUS MISSION. WELL DONE.'. WAS AWARDED THE AMERICAN THEATRE MEDAL, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE STARS, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE STARS, THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, THE NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE MEDAL WITH ASIA CLASP, THE AMERICAN AREA RIBBON, THE AMPHIBIOUS FORCES SHOULDER INSIGNIA. COMPLETED SERVICE HONORABLY IN 1946 AS A GUNNER'S MATE, THIRD CLASS PETTY OFFICER.