World War II Honoree

Robert D. Washburn

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pawnee, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED AS A PRIVATE OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 8TH CAVALRY REGIMENT, 2ND CAVALRY BRIGADE, 1ST CAVALRY 'THE FIRST TEAM' DIVISION. HIS REGIMENT PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA, BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO, LEYTE, AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS. LANDED AT LINGAYEN GULF, LUZON IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON JANUARY 27, 1945. HIS UNIT ATTACKED FROM GUIMBA TOWARD MANILA AND THEN FOUGHT THERE AGAINST FIERCE ENEMY OPPOSITION. NEXT ATTACKED THE SHIMBU LINE ON MARCH 8, 1945 AND TOOK KEY BENCH MARK HILLS. HIS DIVISION TOOK SANTO TOMAS AND LOS BANOS AND HIS REGIMENT TOOK LIPA ON MARCH 29, 1945. KILLED IN ACTION ON APRIL 16, 1945 DURING THE LUZON CAMPAIGN WHILE OPERATING IN THE VICINITY OF MT. MATASSANA BUNDOC. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS REGIMENT AT LUZON DURING THE PERIOD JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 3, 1945. AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR SERVICE BY HIS REGIMENT IN THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN DURING THE PERIOD OCTOBER 17, 1944 TO JULY 4, 1945. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.