World War II Honoree

Robert L. Cobb

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE DURING THE WAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. SERVED OVERSEAS AS A CHAPLAIN'S ASSISTANT IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE ATTACK TRANSPORT SHIP USS LA GRANGE (APA-124). HIS SHIP DEPARTED SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA ON JANUARY 1, 1945 AND ARRIVED AT MANUS ISLAND IN THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO ON JANUARY 18, 1945. THE TRANSPORT THEN CARRIED CARGO AND PASSENGERS TO HOLLANDIA IN DUTCH NEW GUINEA, AND THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. SAILED FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS. ARRIVED OFF THE KERAMA RETTO ANCHORAGE ON MARCH 26, 1945, WHERE EMBARKED TROOPS WERE LANDED. REMAINED OFF OKINAWA FOR SOME 30 DAYS SUPPORTING ON-SHORE OPERATIONS. RETURNED TO SAIPAN IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS ON MAY 5, 1945 AND RETURNED PASSENGERS TO SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA BEFORE RESUMING WAR OPERATIONS AT ENIWETOK ATOLL IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS ON JULY 11, 1945. THE VESSEL THEN SAILED TO OKINAWA, ARRIVED AT BUCKNER BAY AND OFF-LOADED CARGO. ON AUGUST 13, 1945, WHILE ANCHORED IN THE BAY, HIS SHIP WAS ATTACKED AND STRUCK BY JAPANESE 'KAMIKAZE' SUICIDE AIRCRAFT. THE TRANSPORT SUFFERED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE AND SUSTAINED 21 KILLED IN ACTION AND 89 WOUNDED IN ACTION. AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES ON AUGUST 15, 1945, HIS SHIP RETURNED TO SAN FRANCISCO, ARRIVING ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1945. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.