World War II Honoree

Robert Lewis Fritts

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Rushville, Indiana

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Fireman First Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy June 24, 1942 at Indianapolis, Indiana. Served aboard the USS Landing Ship Tank LST-469, in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations. On June 16, 1943, the attack cargo ship was torpedoed by an Imperial Japanese submarine, while travelling in a Convoy off the east coast of Australia. She was towed to the Cockatoo Island Dockyard in Sydney for repairs. Killed in action on the day of the attack, with interment June 23, 1943 in the Rockwood Cemetery, Sydney, Australia. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Sailor received his remains for burial, with interment in East Hill Cemetery in Rushville, Indiana. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.