World War II Honoree

Robert Alfred Whitman

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Marble Falls, Texas

Honored By

John C. Burkhardt, SVC MOPH, Chapter 1919, Austin, Texas

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE ON DECEMBER 22, 1943, INTO THE U.S. MARINE CORPS. HE QUALIFIED AS 1ST CLASS GUNNER (BMG) AND HIS MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY WAS AS TRUCK DRIVER-HEAVY, SPECIALTY NUMBER 245. AFTER TRAINING HE WAS SENT TO THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC AREA AND SERVED THERE FROM MAY 13, 1944, THROUGH FEBRUARY 19, 1946. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO 2ND BATTALION, 11TH MARINE REGIMENT, 1ST MARINE DIVISION. HE WAS IN COMBAT ACTION AGAINST THE ENEMY AT PELELIU ISLANDS FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 1944 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1944; AND OKINAWA SHIMA, RYUKYU ISLANDS FROM APRIL 1, 1945 THROUGH JUNE 21, 1945. ON JUNE 3, 1945, HE WAS WOUNDED IN COMBAT ON OKINAWA SHIMA, RYUKYU ISLAND, AND WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL.