World War II Honoree

Robert Cline

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Pateros, Washington

Honored By

Keith Holbrook & LTC Charles T. Borg, USA-Ret.

SERVED ABOARD HEAVY CRUISER USS MINNEAPOLIS, ARMED WITH 8 INCH NAVAL GUNS TO PROVIDE PROTECTION TO AIRCRAFT CARRIERS IN THE PACIFIC CAMPAIGN. TOOK PART IN BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA, MAY 4-8, 1942 SCREENING THE CARRIER LEXINGTON. RESCUED SURVIVORS OF THE LEXINGTON WHEN SHE WAS SUNK AND HELPED STOP JAPANESE EXPANSION SOUTHWARD TO NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. TOOK PART IN THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY, JUNE 1942. IN THE BATTLE OF TASSAFARONGA, THE MINNEAPOLIS WAS HIT BY 2 JAPANESE TORPEDOES BUT SURVIVED, RETURNING TO SERVE IN THE PACIFIC IN 1943. INVOLVED IN THE BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA, GUAM AND THE BATTLE OF SURIGAO STRAIT. DISCHARGED IN 1945 HAVING EARNED THE NAVY COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL WITH 4 BATTLE STARS AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.