World War II Honoree

Robert Wilson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Raton, New Mexico

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Electrician’s Mate Third Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy at Santa Fe, New Mexico, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from boot camp and electrical training, he was transferred to the USS Sims Destroyer, DD-409 for duty, responsible for maintaining the electrical system and repairing equipment. The Destroyer and her shipmates participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea against the Imperial Japanese Naval Aviators (Battle Dates: May 4-8, 1942) in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. On the Eighth, at 11:00 hours the Destroyer was attacked by a formation of enemy bombers. The Warship received three bomb hits, with two exploding in the engine room; and within minutes, she buckled amidships and began to sink, stern first. Reported missing in action of the day of the attack. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery at Fort William-McKinley, Philippine Islands. Later his missing in action status was amended to read killed in action May 8, 1943. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.