World War II Honoree

Robert Bainbridge

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Smithers, West Virginia

Honored By

Richard C. Bainbridge

Relationship

Son

SERVED AS BOTH A SERVICEMAN AND AS A CIVILIAN ON THE HOME FRONT DURING THE WAR. HE ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AND AFTER BASIC TRAINING HE WAS POSTED TO A MILITARY BASE IN KANSAS WERE HE SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE ARMY SERVICE FORCES. THE ARMY SERVICE FORCES HANDLED MANY ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED KEEP THE ARMY RUNNING SMOOTHLY. ONE OF THE MANY FUNCTIONS WAS PROVIDING THE ARMY MILITARY POLICE. FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME HE SERVED AS AN ARMY MP BASED IN KANSAS. HE WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN A MILITARY DISCHARGE AND LEAVE ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY BECAUSE HE WAS CALLED TO WORK AT A WAR TIME PRODUCTION FACILITY AT UNION CARBIDE’S METALS DIVISION STEEL PLANT IN ALLOY, WEST VIRGINIA. HE SPENT THE REST OF THE WAR HELPING TO MAKE STEEL ARMORED PLATING FOR TANKS.