World War II Honoree

Robert K. Alexander

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Demont, South Dakota

Honored By

A Grateful American

SERVED IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC ABOARD THE DESTROYER USS STANLY DD-478 AS A GUNNER'S MATE FIRST CLASS. THE USS STANLY WAS ONE OF THE SHIPS OF THE 'LITTLE BEAVER' SQUADRON WHICH WAS THE ONLY DESTROYER SQUADRON IN WWII TO RECEIVE THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION. DURING ONE BATTLE, A 40 MM GUN JAMMED ON THE PORT SIDE OF THE SHIP. HE RUSHED TO THAT GUN CORRECTED THE MALFUNCTION TOOK THE POSITION AND SHOT DOWN A JAPANESE PLANE WHICH WAS ATTACKING THE PORT SIDE. HE SAW ACTION AT GUADALCANAL, SOLOMON ISLANDS, BOUGAINVILLE, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, BORNEO, IWO JIMA AND OKINAWA. RECIPIENT OF THE BRONZE STAR FOR VALOR, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, NAVY COMMENDATION RIBBON, PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH NINE BATTLE STARS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN AREA RIBBON, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION WITH A BRONZE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.