THIS MARKER IS A CENOTAPH (Memorial Stone only)

Published Monday, August 13, 1945 - Chanute Tribune - Chanute, KS

Robert J. Heller reported missing in the Pacific.

S1C Robert J. Heller, Jr., 31, who has been serving in the Pacific aboard a heavy cruiser for the past year, has been missing in action since July 30, a war department telegram informed his wife last night.

Before he entered service a year and a half ago, Heller was assistant manager at the Montgomery Ward store here.

His wife, Mary Rose, and two children, Roberta and Suzanne live at 411 W. 3rd St. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Heller, 601 S. Evergreen.

U.S., WWII JEWISH SERVICEMAN CARDS, 1942-1947:

NAME: Robert Jacob Heller

NEXT OF KIN: Mary Rose Heller

RELATIONSHIP: Wife

RESIDENCE: Chanute, Kansas, United States

RECORD DATE: 16 Oct 1945

DEATH, NATIONAL JEWISH WELFARE BOARD:

BUREAU OF WAR RECORDS: AUTHENTICATED

NAME: Heller, Robert Jacob, Jr.

RANK: S 2C

NEXT OF KIN: Mrs. Mary Rose Heller

RELATIONSHIP: Wife

ADDRESS:411 W. 3rd

CITY: Chanute STATE: Kansas

SOURCE OF INFORMATION: Navy Dep. Rel. Service # 483, pg. 6769

BRANCH OF SERVICE: Navy

FAMILY: Wife

INQUIRY DATE: 10/16/1945

WORLD WAR II HONOR LIST OF DEAD AND MISSING NAVY, MARINES, COAST GUARD: STATE OF KANSAS WAR DEPT -- JUNE 1946

HELLER, Robert Jacob, Jr.

Seaman 2c, USNR

Wife: Mrs. Mary Rose (Gaughan) Heller, Chanute, Kansas.

Married: 1937

WORLD WAR II and KOREAN CONFLICT VETERANS INTERRED OVERSEAS:

Name: Robert J Heller Jr

Inducted From: Kansas

Rank: Seaman Second Class

Combat Organization: United States Navy Reserve

Ship: USS Indianapolis

Death Date: 30 Jul 1945

Monument: Fort William McKinley, Manila, The Philippines

Last Known Status: Missing

U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION:

Robert J. Heller, Jr.

Seaman, Second Class, U.S. Navy

Service # 9570238

United States Naval Reserve

Entered the Service from: Kansas

Died: 30-Jul-1945

Missing in Action or Buried at Sea

Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery

Manila, Philippines

Awards: Purple Heart

The USS Indianapolis was torpedoed in the last days of WWII.