I never met Robert during my time at Buchser as he was in the Class of 1963 and graduated shortly after I transferred to Buchser.  Based on the information that I have, Robert was on his second tour with a Navy Seabee unit.  He was a construction Electrician’s Mate.  Based on the casualty report and the Seabee website he was on-board an aircraft when it was shot down by enemy fire.  He was the oldest Bruin lost in Vietnam.

Personal Data

Home of Record:   Sunnyvale, CA

Date of Birth:         09/07/1944

Marital Status:      Married

Military Data

Service Branch:    United States Navy

Grade at Loss:        E5

Rank:                      Petty Officer Second Class

MOS or Specialty: CE2: Construction Electrician’s Mate 2^nd Class

Length of Service: Six years

Unit:                        Public Works, NavSuPact Danang, USNAVFORV

Casualty Data

Start Tour:             09/02/1968

Incident Date:       01/16/1969

Casualty Date:       01/16/1969

Age at Loss:            24

Location:                Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam

Remains:                Body Recovered

Casualty Type:      Hostile, Died outright

Casualty Reason:  Fixed wing, non-crew

Casualty Detail:    Air loss or crash over land

On the Wall:             Panel W34   Line 28