1930 United States Federal Census (08 April 1930): Daly City, San Mateo County, California (sheet 7B, family 191, 733 Crocker Avenue) – Robert Bourke (9 New Jersey).
Robert E. Bourke, a resident of 2714 14th Avenue, Oakland, California, enlisted as a Private (S/N272800) in the U.S. Marine Corps on 19 June 1939 in San Francisco, California. He was assigned to Recruit Depot Detachment, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California for training.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 20 June 1939 to 21 August 1939
Recruit Depot Detachment, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California
Private Robert E. Bourke. He joined from Western Recruiting Division, San Francisco, California. On 18 August 1939 he qualified as a marksman. On 21 August 1939 he was transferred to the Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 21 August 1939 to 03 March 1940
Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
Private Robert E. Bourke. On 28 August he became a student at the "Radio school." He was studying at the radio school through 10 February 1940. On 03 March he was sent to MBNY, Mare Island, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 20 March 1940 to 31 July 1940
Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California
Private/Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. On 20 March 1940 he was transferred to Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California where he was detailed to duty as a radio operator at the 12th NavDist Radio Control Station. In May 1940 he was promoted to Private First Class.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 August to 31 August 1940
Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll – 01 September 1940 to 25 September 1940
Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was sent back to Headquarters for temporary duty as radio operator.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 27 September 1940 to 10 October 1940 Casual Company, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke.
On 25 September 1940 he was moved to Casual Company, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California. He was given a furlough from 01 to 07 October and on the 8th he joined in person. On 10 October he was assigned to Asiatic Station for General Assignment via USS CHAUMONT.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 12 October 1940 to 14 November 1940
Troop Transport U.S.S. CHAUMONT
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. On 12 October he embarked aboard the USS CHAUMONT and sailed from San Francisco, California. On 14 November he arrived and disembarked at Shanghai, China. There he was assigned to Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines where he worked as a radio operator.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 14 November 1940 to November 1941
Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines where he worked as a radio operator.
The 4th Marines were responsible for protecting the International Settlement in Shanghai. Their mission was to prevent fighting between Japanese and Chinese forces from spilling over into the International zone and protecting American interests. Source: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls; A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970).
On the 14th of November, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that "The Government of the United States has decided to withdraw the American Marine detachments now maintained ashore in China..." Clouds of war were quickly closing in on the China Marines as Japan and the United States edged ever closer to active hostilities.
On 27-28 November 1941, the Fourth Marines were loaded aboard the SS PRESIDENT MADISON and the SS PRESIDENT HARRISON and sent to Subic Bay, Philippines, where they were given the mission of protecting the naval stations at Olongapo and Mariveles. With war immediately on the horizon, the 4th Marines began frantic preparations to make itself ready for that possibility. Although war was expected, it broke out earlier than had been anticipated. Japan launched an attack on the Philippines on 08 December 1941 to coincide with its strike at Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December.
By the end of December the Fourth Marines had been transferred to Corregidor. They were assigned to the beach defenses on the island. As the weeks passed, the 4th Marines and other units garrisoning Corregidor realized the hopelessness of the situation when it became clear that no relief force would be forthcoming. The 4th Marines' mission of defending the beaches gained new importance as the Japanese moved down the Bataan Peninsula. 1st Battalion took the east sector of the island, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point. The 2nd Battalion (Bourke's) moved to the west sector. Work began immediately on construction of beach defenses. Source: A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970), page 24.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 January 1942 to 30 April 1942 (the final surviving muster)
Company H, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines on Fort Mills, P. I. (Corregidor).
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was transferred to Company H, Second Battalion to be part of the beach defenses on Corregidor. On 18 April he was appointed Specialist 3rd Class.
On 09 April 1942, Filipino and U.S. forces on Bataan were surrendered and the Japanese were able to mass artillery for an all-out attack of the Rock from just 2 miles away. A virtual rain of shells and bombs saturated the island during April, resulting in the destruction of most beach defenses.
April 29, Wednesday: The birthday of Emperor Hirohito. The Japanese raise the level of intensity of the aerial and artillery attacks a few notches. At 0730, the attack opens with the 260th air alarm of the campaign. Japanese bombers flew 83 sorties, dropping 106 tons of bombs. The air raids and the artillery fire continue without let up all day. By nightfall, Corregidor is in shambles, a pulverized, blasted chunk of rock lying under a blanket of dust and smoke. Fires rage out of control all over the island and smoke towers 3,000 feet in the air.
"It took no mental giant," wrote Wainwright, "to figure out, that the enemy was ready to come against Corregidor." On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison. Despite heavy resistance by the defenders and severe losses to the Japanese, the enemy was able to push forward. The situation grew more perilous and feeling that further resistance was useless and fearing a possible massacre of 1,000 sick and wounded personnel in Malinta Tunnel, General Wainwright decided to surrender. At 1200, 06 May 1942 the surrender went into effect.
*06 May 1942
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke (S/N 272800), "2nd Battalion, 4th Marines was shot by the Japanese for talking back. "The bullet smashed through Bourke's left chest and lung, fracturing two ribs and clipping his arm as it exited his body." Loren E. Stamp, 4 MC says he and Sanford brought him wounded to Malinta" where he died. PFC Bourke was buried that same day in the island cemetery. Source: Missing Marines (https://missingmarines.com/robert-e-bourke/) and Death Roster Corregidor - Chaplain Reports
*According to Missing Marines "records disagree as to the exact date, but Robert Bourke died of his wounds at some point between 6 May and 8 May 1942. (In the years after the war, 6 May 1942 was "arbitrarily" chosen as his official date of death").
PFC Bourke was listed as "missing in action" until 12 February 1943 when the War Department received word from the Japanese government through the International Red Cross that he was dead.
His remains were not recovered after the war.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Robert E. Bourke, a resident of 2714 14th Avenue, Oakland, California, enlisted as a Private (S/N272800) in the U.S. Marine Corps on 19 June 1939 in San Francisco, California. He was assigned to Recruit Depot Detachment, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California for training.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 20 June 1939 to 21 August 1939
Recruit Depot Detachment, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California
Private Robert E. Bourke. He joined from Western Recruiting Division, San Francisco, California. On 18 August 1939 he qualified as a marksman. On 21 August 1939 he was transferred to the Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 21 August 1939 to 03 March 1940
Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
Private Robert E. Bourke. On 28 August he became a student at the "Radio school." He was studying at the radio school through 10 February 1940. On 03 March he was sent to MBNY, Mare Island, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 20 March 1940 to 31 July 1940
Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California
Private/Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. On 20 March 1940 he was transferred to Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California where he was detailed to duty as a radio operator at the 12th NavDist Radio Control Station. In May 1940 he was promoted to Private First Class.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 August to 31 August 1940
Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll – 01 September 1940 to 25 September 1940
Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was sent back to Headquarters for temporary duty as radio operator.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 27 September 1940 to 10 October 1940 Casual Company, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke.
On 25 September 1940 he was moved to Casual Company, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California. He was given a furlough from 01 to 07 October and on the 8th he joined in person. On 10 October he was assigned to Asiatic Station for General Assignment via USS CHAUMONT.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 12 October 1940 to 14 November 1940
Troop Transport U.S.S. CHAUMONT
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. On 12 October he embarked aboard the USS CHAUMONT and sailed from San Francisco, California. On 14 November he arrived and disembarked at Shanghai, China. There he was assigned to Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines where he worked as a radio operator.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 14 November 1940 to November 1941
Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines where he worked as a radio operator.
The 4th Marines were responsible for protecting the International Settlement in Shanghai. Their mission was to prevent fighting between Japanese and Chinese forces from spilling over into the International zone and protecting American interests. Source: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls; A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970).
On the 14th of November, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that "The Government of the United States has decided to withdraw the American Marine detachments now maintained ashore in China..." Clouds of war were quickly closing in on the China Marines as Japan and the United States edged ever closer to active hostilities.
On 27-28 November 1941, the Fourth Marines were loaded aboard the SS PRESIDENT MADISON and the SS PRESIDENT HARRISON and sent to Subic Bay, Philippines, where they were given the mission of protecting the naval stations at Olongapo and Mariveles. With war immediately on the horizon, the 4th Marines began frantic preparations to make itself ready for that possibility. Although war was expected, it broke out earlier than had been anticipated. Japan launched an attack on the Philippines on 08 December 1941 to coincide with its strike at Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December.
By the end of December the Fourth Marines had been transferred to Corregidor. They were assigned to the beach defenses on the island. As the weeks passed, the 4th Marines and other units garrisoning Corregidor realized the hopelessness of the situation when it became clear that no relief force would be forthcoming. The 4th Marines' mission of defending the beaches gained new importance as the Japanese moved down the Bataan Peninsula. 1st Battalion took the east sector of the island, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point. The 2nd Battalion (Bourke's) moved to the west sector. Work began immediately on construction of beach defenses. Source: A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970), page 24.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 January 1942 to 30 April 1942 (the final surviving muster)
Company H, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines on Fort Mills, P. I. (Corregidor).
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was transferred to Company H, Second Battalion to be part of the beach defenses on Corregidor. On 18 April he was appointed Specialist 3rd Class.
On 09 April 1942, Filipino and U.S. forces on Bataan were surrendered and the Japanese were able to mass artillery for an all-out attack of the Rock from just 2 miles away. A virtual rain of shells and bombs saturated the island during April, resulting in the destruction of most beach defenses.
April 29, Wednesday: The birthday of Emperor Hirohito. The Japanese raise the level of intensity of the aerial and artillery attacks a few notches. At 0730, the attack opens with the 260th air alarm of the campaign. Japanese bombers flew 83 sorties, dropping 106 tons of bombs. The air raids and the artillery fire continue without let up all day. By nightfall, Corregidor is in shambles, a pulverized, blasted chunk of rock lying under a blanket of dust and smoke. Fires rage out of control all over the island and smoke towers 3,000 feet in the air.
"It took no mental giant," wrote Wainwright, "to figure out, that the enemy was ready to come against Corregidor." On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison. Despite heavy resistance by the defenders and severe losses to the Japanese, the enemy was able to push forward. The situation grew more perilous and feeling that further resistance was useless and fearing a possible massacre of 1,000 sick and wounded personnel in Malinta Tunnel, General Wainwright decided to surrender. At 1200, 06 May 1942 the surrender went into effect.
*06 May 1942
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke (S/N 272800), "2nd Battalion, 4th Marines was shot by the Japanese for talking back. "The bullet smashed through Bourke's left chest and lung, fracturing two ribs and clipping his arm as it exited his body." Loren E. Stamp, 4 MC says he and Sanford brought him wounded to Malinta" where he died. PFC Bourke was buried that same day in the island cemetery. Source: Missing Marines (https://missingmarines.com/robert-e-bourke/) and Death Roster Corregidor - Chaplain Reports
*According to Missing Marines "records disagree as to the exact date, but Robert Bourke died of his wounds at some point between 6 May and 8 May 1942. (In the years after the war, 6 May 1942 was "arbitrarily" chosen as his official date of death").
PFC Bourke was listed as "missing in action" until 12 February 1943 when the War Department received word from the Japanese government through the International Red Cross that he was dead.
His remains were not recovered after the war.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
1930 United States Federal Census (08 April 1930): Daly City, San Mateo County, California (sheet 7B, family 191, 733 Crocker Avenue) – Robert Bourke (9 New Jersey).
Robert E. Bourke, a resident of 2714 14th Avenue, Oakland, California, enlisted as a Private (S/N272800) in the U.S. Marine Corps on 19 June 1939 in San Francisco, California. He was assigned to Recruit Depot Detachment, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California for training.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 20 June 1939 to 21 August 1939
Recruit Depot Detachment, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California
Private Robert E. Bourke. He joined from Western Recruiting Division, San Francisco, California. On 18 August 1939 he qualified as a marksman. On 21 August 1939 he was transferred to the Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 21 August 1939 to 03 March 1940
Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
Private Robert E. Bourke. On 28 August he became a student at the "Radio school." He was studying at the radio school through 10 February 1940. On 03 March he was sent to MBNY, Mare Island, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 20 March 1940 to 31 July 1940
Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California
Private/Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. On 20 March 1940 he was transferred to Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California where he was detailed to duty as a radio operator at the 12th NavDist Radio Control Station. In May 1940 he was promoted to Private First Class.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 August to 31 August 1940
Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll – 01 September 1940 to 25 September 1940
Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was sent back to Headquarters for temporary duty as radio operator.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 27 September 1940 to 10 October 1940 Casual Company, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke.
On 25 September 1940 he was moved to Casual Company, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California. He was given a furlough from 01 to 07 October and on the 8th he joined in person. On 10 October he was assigned to Asiatic Station for General Assignment via USS CHAUMONT.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 12 October 1940 to 14 November 1940
Troop Transport U.S.S. CHAUMONT
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. On 12 October he embarked aboard the USS CHAUMONT and sailed from San Francisco, California. On 14 November he arrived and disembarked at Shanghai, China. There he was assigned to Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines where he worked as a radio operator.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 14 November 1940 to November 1941
Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines where he worked as a radio operator.
The 4th Marines were responsible for protecting the International Settlement in Shanghai. Their mission was to prevent fighting between Japanese and Chinese forces from spilling over into the International zone and protecting American interests. Source: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls; A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970).
On the 14th of November, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that "The Government of the United States has decided to withdraw the American Marine detachments now maintained ashore in China..." Clouds of war were quickly closing in on the China Marines as Japan and the United States edged ever closer to active hostilities.
On 27-28 November 1941, the Fourth Marines were loaded aboard the SS PRESIDENT MADISON and the SS PRESIDENT HARRISON and sent to Subic Bay, Philippines, where they were given the mission of protecting the naval stations at Olongapo and Mariveles. With war immediately on the horizon, the 4th Marines began frantic preparations to make itself ready for that possibility. Although war was expected, it broke out earlier than had been anticipated. Japan launched an attack on the Philippines on 08 December 1941 to coincide with its strike at Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December.
By the end of December the Fourth Marines had been transferred to Corregidor. They were assigned to the beach defenses on the island. As the weeks passed, the 4th Marines and other units garrisoning Corregidor realized the hopelessness of the situation when it became clear that no relief force would be forthcoming. The 4th Marines' mission of defending the beaches gained new importance as the Japanese moved down the Bataan Peninsula. 1st Battalion took the east sector of the island, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point. The 2nd Battalion (Bourke's) moved to the west sector. Work began immediately on construction of beach defenses. Source: A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970), page 24.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 January 1942 to 30 April 1942 (the final surviving muster)
Company H, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines on Fort Mills, P. I. (Corregidor).
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was transferred to Company H, Second Battalion to be part of the beach defenses on Corregidor. On 18 April he was appointed Specialist 3rd Class.
On 09 April 1942, Filipino and U.S. forces on Bataan were surrendered and the Japanese were able to mass artillery for an all-out attack of the Rock from just 2 miles away. A virtual rain of shells and bombs saturated the island during April, resulting in the destruction of most beach defenses.
April 29, Wednesday: The birthday of Emperor Hirohito. The Japanese raise the level of intensity of the aerial and artillery attacks a few notches. At 0730, the attack opens with the 260th air alarm of the campaign. Japanese bombers flew 83 sorties, dropping 106 tons of bombs. The air raids and the artillery fire continue without let up all day. By nightfall, Corregidor is in shambles, a pulverized, blasted chunk of rock lying under a blanket of dust and smoke. Fires rage out of control all over the island and smoke towers 3,000 feet in the air.
"It took no mental giant," wrote Wainwright, "to figure out, that the enemy was ready to come against Corregidor." On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison. Despite heavy resistance by the defenders and severe losses to the Japanese, the enemy was able to push forward. The situation grew more perilous and feeling that further resistance was useless and fearing a possible massacre of 1,000 sick and wounded personnel in Malinta Tunnel, General Wainwright decided to surrender. At 1200, 06 May 1942 the surrender went into effect.
*06 May 1942
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke (S/N 272800), "2nd Battalion, 4th Marines was shot by the Japanese for talking back. "The bullet smashed through Bourke's left chest and lung, fracturing two ribs and clipping his arm as it exited his body." Loren E. Stamp, 4 MC says he and Sanford brought him wounded to Malinta" where he died. PFC Bourke was buried that same day in the island cemetery. Source: Missing Marines (https://missingmarines.com/robert-e-bourke/) and Death Roster Corregidor - Chaplain Reports
*According to Missing Marines "records disagree as to the exact date, but Robert Bourke died of his wounds at some point between 6 May and 8 May 1942. (In the years after the war, 6 May 1942 was "arbitrarily" chosen as his official date of death").
PFC Bourke was listed as "missing in action" until 12 February 1943 when the War Department received word from the Japanese government through the International Red Cross that he was dead.
His remains were not recovered after the war.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Robert E. Bourke, a resident of 2714 14th Avenue, Oakland, California, enlisted as a Private (S/N272800) in the U.S. Marine Corps on 19 June 1939 in San Francisco, California. He was assigned to Recruit Depot Detachment, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California for training.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 20 June 1939 to 21 August 1939
Recruit Depot Detachment, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California
Private Robert E. Bourke. He joined from Western Recruiting Division, San Francisco, California. On 18 August 1939 he qualified as a marksman. On 21 August 1939 he was transferred to the Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 21 August 1939 to 03 March 1940
Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
Private Robert E. Bourke. On 28 August he became a student at the "Radio school." He was studying at the radio school through 10 February 1940. On 03 March he was sent to MBNY, Mare Island, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 20 March 1940 to 31 July 1940
Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California
Private/Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. On 20 March 1940 he was transferred to Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California where he was detailed to duty as a radio operator at the 12th NavDist Radio Control Station. In May 1940 he was promoted to Private First Class.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 August to 31 August 1940
Second Signal Company, Base Service Battalion, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll – 01 September 1940 to 25 September 1940
Headquarters, Department of The Pacific, San Francisco, California
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was sent back to Headquarters for temporary duty as radio operator.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 27 September 1940 to 10 October 1940 Casual Company, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke.
On 25 September 1940 he was moved to Casual Company, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California. He was given a furlough from 01 to 07 October and on the 8th he joined in person. On 10 October he was assigned to Asiatic Station for General Assignment via USS CHAUMONT.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 12 October 1940 to 14 November 1940
Troop Transport U.S.S. CHAUMONT
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. On 12 October he embarked aboard the USS CHAUMONT and sailed from San Francisco, California. On 14 November he arrived and disembarked at Shanghai, China. There he was assigned to Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines where he worked as a radio operator.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 14 November 1940 to November 1941
Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines where he worked as a radio operator.
The 4th Marines were responsible for protecting the International Settlement in Shanghai. Their mission was to prevent fighting between Japanese and Chinese forces from spilling over into the International zone and protecting American interests. Source: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls; A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970).
On the 14th of November, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that "The Government of the United States has decided to withdraw the American Marine detachments now maintained ashore in China..." Clouds of war were quickly closing in on the China Marines as Japan and the United States edged ever closer to active hostilities.
On 27-28 November 1941, the Fourth Marines were loaded aboard the SS PRESIDENT MADISON and the SS PRESIDENT HARRISON and sent to Subic Bay, Philippines, where they were given the mission of protecting the naval stations at Olongapo and Mariveles. With war immediately on the horizon, the 4th Marines began frantic preparations to make itself ready for that possibility. Although war was expected, it broke out earlier than had been anticipated. Japan launched an attack on the Philippines on 08 December 1941 to coincide with its strike at Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December.
By the end of December the Fourth Marines had been transferred to Corregidor. They were assigned to the beach defenses on the island. As the weeks passed, the 4th Marines and other units garrisoning Corregidor realized the hopelessness of the situation when it became clear that no relief force would be forthcoming. The 4th Marines' mission of defending the beaches gained new importance as the Japanese moved down the Bataan Peninsula. 1st Battalion took the east sector of the island, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point. The 2nd Battalion (Bourke's) moved to the west sector. Work began immediately on construction of beach defenses. Source: A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970), page 24.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 January 1942 to 30 April 1942 (the final surviving muster)
Company H, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines on Fort Mills, P. I. (Corregidor).
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke. He was transferred to Company H, Second Battalion to be part of the beach defenses on Corregidor. On 18 April he was appointed Specialist 3rd Class.
On 09 April 1942, Filipino and U.S. forces on Bataan were surrendered and the Japanese were able to mass artillery for an all-out attack of the Rock from just 2 miles away. A virtual rain of shells and bombs saturated the island during April, resulting in the destruction of most beach defenses.
April 29, Wednesday: The birthday of Emperor Hirohito. The Japanese raise the level of intensity of the aerial and artillery attacks a few notches. At 0730, the attack opens with the 260th air alarm of the campaign. Japanese bombers flew 83 sorties, dropping 106 tons of bombs. The air raids and the artillery fire continue without let up all day. By nightfall, Corregidor is in shambles, a pulverized, blasted chunk of rock lying under a blanket of dust and smoke. Fires rage out of control all over the island and smoke towers 3,000 feet in the air.
"It took no mental giant," wrote Wainwright, "to figure out, that the enemy was ready to come against Corregidor." On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison. Despite heavy resistance by the defenders and severe losses to the Japanese, the enemy was able to push forward. The situation grew more perilous and feeling that further resistance was useless and fearing a possible massacre of 1,000 sick and wounded personnel in Malinta Tunnel, General Wainwright decided to surrender. At 1200, 06 May 1942 the surrender went into effect.
*06 May 1942
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke (S/N 272800), "2nd Battalion, 4th Marines was shot by the Japanese for talking back. "The bullet smashed through Bourke's left chest and lung, fracturing two ribs and clipping his arm as it exited his body." Loren E. Stamp, 4 MC says he and Sanford brought him wounded to Malinta" where he died. PFC Bourke was buried that same day in the island cemetery. Source: Missing Marines (https://missingmarines.com/robert-e-bourke/) and Death Roster Corregidor - Chaplain Reports
*According to Missing Marines "records disagree as to the exact date, but Robert Bourke died of his wounds at some point between 6 May and 8 May 1942. (In the years after the war, 6 May 1942 was "arbitrarily" chosen as his official date of death").
PFC Bourke was listed as "missing in action" until 12 February 1943 when the War Department received word from the Japanese government through the International Red Cross that he was dead.
His remains were not recovered after the war.
Private First Class Robert E. Bourke is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
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