World War II Honoree
Civilian on the Home Front
Robert Henry Bartlett
Hometown
East Lansing, Michigan
Honored By
Sharon Bartlett
Relationship
Daughter
MARCH 1942, JUST GRADUATED FROM MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE WITH A DEGREE IN FORESTRY MANAGEMENT, HIRED BY FIRESTONE PLANTATIONS COMPANY TO BE RUBBER PLANT MANAGER IN HARBEL, LIBERIA, WEST AFRICA. DURING THE WAR, LIBERIA FURNISHED MORE THAN ONE-FIFTH OF AMERICA'S TOTAL SUPPLY OF RUBBER. RUBBER WAS IMPORTANT TO OUR FIGHTING FORCES, AS IT WENT INTO MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND PROVIDED VITAL MATERIAL FOR SURGEONS' GLOVES, BANDAGES AND OTHER SURGICAL SUPPLIES.