World War II Honoree

C. Robert Mills

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Essington, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

JOINED THE NAVY AND FLEW AVENGER TORPEDO PLANES FROM THE ESCORT CARRIER USS SANTEE CVE-29 IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS FOR HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE ATTACK ON THE JAPANESE BATTLESHIP YAMATO IN THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF. ON OCTOBER 25, 1944, AFTER THE ATTACK ON THE BATTLESHIP YAMATO, HE WAS FORCED TO DITCH HIS AIRCRAFT AND SPENT TWO DAYS ON A LIFE RAFT IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN BEFORE BEING RESCUED. REMAINED IN THE NAVY RESERVE FOR 20 YEARS.