Robert N. Robertson
Machinist's Mate, Third Class, U.S. Navy
Service # 3721041
Entered the Service from: Wyoming
Missing in Action: 01 March 1942, from the sinking of the U.S.S. Houston in the Sunda Strait, Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia
Officially Declared Dead: 15 December 1945
He is the son of John Glendinning Menzier Robertson and Emma Nehls.
1920 US Census (14 January 1920): Election District 11 (Crosby), Hot Springs County, Wyoming (sheet 4A, family 10) - Robert Robertson (3 Wyoming)
He enlisted 04 October 1939 in Denver, Colorado.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
31 Dec 1939 U.S.S. Vega (AK-17) Passengers Only - A.S. Robert N. Robertson USN (3721041). Transferred to U.S.S. Indianapolis for duty.
31 Dec 1939 U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) - A.S. Robert N. Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Date first received on board, 23 December 1939 from NTS, San Diego, Calif.
29 Feb 1940 U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) - A.S. Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 04 February 1940 from AS to Sea2c. Auth: Art. D-5108 (1) BuNavMan.; Transferred 06 February 1940 to U.S.S. Houston
31 Mar 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - Sea.2c Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
30 Jun 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) From AT to Pearl Harbor T.H. - Sea.2c Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 27 June 1940 from Sea2c to F.3c. AUTH: Art. D-5114 (1) BuNav.Man.
30 Sep 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F3c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
The U.S.S Houston (CA-30) was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser.
30 Nov 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) sailing from Manila P.I. - F3c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 16 November 1940 to F.2c AUTH" BaseFor Quota 2-41
31 Dec 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F2c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
30 Sep 1941, 31 Dec 1941 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F1c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
Battle of Sunda Strait - On 28 February 1942, the day after the Battle of the Java Sea, the ABDA cruisers HMAS Perth and USS Houston received orders to sail through Sunda Strait to Tjilatjap, on the south coast of Java. The only ships they expected to encounter were Australian corvettes on patrol in and around the strait.
By chance, just after 22:00, the Imperial Japanese Army 16th Army's Western Java Invasion Convoy — over 50 transports was entering Bantam Bay, near the northwest tip of Java. The Japanese troop transports were escorted by the 5th Destroyer Flotilla and the 7th Cruiser Division. Rear Admiral Hara's light cruiser Natori—with the destroyers Harukaze, Hatakaze, Asakaze, Fubuki, Hatsuyuki, Shirayuki, Shirakumo, and Murakumo—were closest to the convoy. Flanking the bay to the north were cruisers Mogami and Mikuma — and the destroyer Shikinami.
It is believed that the two ships had no knowledge of the Japanese battle fleet, their last intelligence report having stated that the only Japanese warships in the area were 50 miles (43 nmi) away and headed away....Some time around 23:00, the Allied ships were sighted by the patrolling destroyer, Fubuki as they steamed into Banten Bay. The two ships were attacked but they were able to evade the first nine torpedoes launched by the Fubuki.
The Japanese destroyer squadron blocked Sunda Strait, their means of retreat, and the Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma stood dangerously near. The Houston and Perth could not withdraw. Perth came under fire at 23:36 and in an hour had been sunk from gunfire and torpedo hits. On board the Houston, shells were in short supply in the forward turrets, so the crew manhandled shells from the disabled number three turret to the forward turrets. Houston then fought alone until soon after midnight, when she was struck by a torpedo and began to lose headway.
Houston's gunners had scored hits on three Japanese ships (the cruiser, Mikuma, and destroyers, Shirayuki and Harukaze) but she then suffered three more torpedo explosions in quick succession. Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30 and as the ship came to a stop Japanese destroyers moved in, machine gunning the decks. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank, her ensign still flying. Of the original crew of 1,064 men, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man USMC detachment, only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in prison camps.
F1C Robert N. Robertson was one of the 696 men that were killed or went down with the ship.
The survivors became slave labor to the Japanese on The Railway of Death and The Bridge on The River Kwai.
Houston's fate was not fully known by the world for almost nine months, and the full story of her last fight was not told until after the war was over and her survivors were liberated from the prison camps.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Houston_(CA-30)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sunda_Strait
*******************************************************************************
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll: 1 Mar 1942 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F1c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) missing 01 March 1942
World War II Navy Casualties - Wyoming Dead: Robert Nehls Robertson, Machinist's Mate, 3c, USN. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Robertson, Box 361 Thermopolis
To read more about the ship go to: http://www.usshouston.org/
In memorial of the crews of the H.M.A.S. Perth and U.S.S. Houston (CA 30)
"STILL ON WATCH IN SUNDA STRAIT"
Machinist's Mate, Third Class, U.S. Navy
Service # 3721041
Entered the Service from: Wyoming
Missing in Action: 01 March 1942, from the sinking of the U.S.S. Houston in the Sunda Strait, Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia
Officially Declared Dead: 15 December 1945
He is the son of John Glendinning Menzier Robertson and Emma Nehls.
1920 US Census (14 January 1920): Election District 11 (Crosby), Hot Springs County, Wyoming (sheet 4A, family 10) - Robert Robertson (3 Wyoming)
He enlisted 04 October 1939 in Denver, Colorado.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
31 Dec 1939 U.S.S. Vega (AK-17) Passengers Only - A.S. Robert N. Robertson USN (3721041). Transferred to U.S.S. Indianapolis for duty.
31 Dec 1939 U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) - A.S. Robert N. Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Date first received on board, 23 December 1939 from NTS, San Diego, Calif.
29 Feb 1940 U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) - A.S. Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 04 February 1940 from AS to Sea2c. Auth: Art. D-5108 (1) BuNavMan.; Transferred 06 February 1940 to U.S.S. Houston
31 Mar 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - Sea.2c Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
30 Jun 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) From AT to Pearl Harbor T.H. - Sea.2c Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 27 June 1940 from Sea2c to F.3c. AUTH: Art. D-5114 (1) BuNav.Man.
30 Sep 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F3c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
The U.S.S Houston (CA-30) was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser.
30 Nov 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) sailing from Manila P.I. - F3c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 16 November 1940 to F.2c AUTH" BaseFor Quota 2-41
31 Dec 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F2c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
30 Sep 1941, 31 Dec 1941 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F1c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
Battle of Sunda Strait - On 28 February 1942, the day after the Battle of the Java Sea, the ABDA cruisers HMAS Perth and USS Houston received orders to sail through Sunda Strait to Tjilatjap, on the south coast of Java. The only ships they expected to encounter were Australian corvettes on patrol in and around the strait.
By chance, just after 22:00, the Imperial Japanese Army 16th Army's Western Java Invasion Convoy — over 50 transports was entering Bantam Bay, near the northwest tip of Java. The Japanese troop transports were escorted by the 5th Destroyer Flotilla and the 7th Cruiser Division. Rear Admiral Hara's light cruiser Natori—with the destroyers Harukaze, Hatakaze, Asakaze, Fubuki, Hatsuyuki, Shirayuki, Shirakumo, and Murakumo—were closest to the convoy. Flanking the bay to the north were cruisers Mogami and Mikuma — and the destroyer Shikinami.
It is believed that the two ships had no knowledge of the Japanese battle fleet, their last intelligence report having stated that the only Japanese warships in the area were 50 miles (43 nmi) away and headed away....Some time around 23:00, the Allied ships were sighted by the patrolling destroyer, Fubuki as they steamed into Banten Bay. The two ships were attacked but they were able to evade the first nine torpedoes launched by the Fubuki.
The Japanese destroyer squadron blocked Sunda Strait, their means of retreat, and the Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma stood dangerously near. The Houston and Perth could not withdraw. Perth came under fire at 23:36 and in an hour had been sunk from gunfire and torpedo hits. On board the Houston, shells were in short supply in the forward turrets, so the crew manhandled shells from the disabled number three turret to the forward turrets. Houston then fought alone until soon after midnight, when she was struck by a torpedo and began to lose headway.
Houston's gunners had scored hits on three Japanese ships (the cruiser, Mikuma, and destroyers, Shirayuki and Harukaze) but she then suffered three more torpedo explosions in quick succession. Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30 and as the ship came to a stop Japanese destroyers moved in, machine gunning the decks. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank, her ensign still flying. Of the original crew of 1,064 men, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man USMC detachment, only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in prison camps.
F1C Robert N. Robertson was one of the 696 men that were killed or went down with the ship.
The survivors became slave labor to the Japanese on The Railway of Death and The Bridge on The River Kwai.
Houston's fate was not fully known by the world for almost nine months, and the full story of her last fight was not told until after the war was over and her survivors were liberated from the prison camps.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Houston_(CA-30)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sunda_Strait
*******************************************************************************
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll: 1 Mar 1942 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F1c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) missing 01 March 1942
World War II Navy Casualties - Wyoming Dead: Robert Nehls Robertson, Machinist's Mate, 3c, USN. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Robertson, Box 361 Thermopolis
To read more about the ship go to: http://www.usshouston.org/
In memorial of the crews of the H.M.A.S. Perth and U.S.S. Houston (CA 30)
"STILL ON WATCH IN SUNDA STRAIT"
Robert N. Robertson
Machinist's Mate, Third Class, U.S. Navy
Service # 3721041
Entered the Service from: Wyoming
Missing in Action: 01 March 1942, from the sinking of the U.S.S. Houston in the Sunda Strait, Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia
Officially Declared Dead: 15 December 1945
He is the son of John Glendinning Menzier Robertson and Emma Nehls.
1920 US Census (14 January 1920): Election District 11 (Crosby), Hot Springs County, Wyoming (sheet 4A, family 10) - Robert Robertson (3 Wyoming)
He enlisted 04 October 1939 in Denver, Colorado.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
31 Dec 1939 U.S.S. Vega (AK-17) Passengers Only - A.S. Robert N. Robertson USN (3721041). Transferred to U.S.S. Indianapolis for duty.
31 Dec 1939 U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) - A.S. Robert N. Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Date first received on board, 23 December 1939 from NTS, San Diego, Calif.
29 Feb 1940 U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) - A.S. Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 04 February 1940 from AS to Sea2c. Auth: Art. D-5108 (1) BuNavMan.; Transferred 06 February 1940 to U.S.S. Houston
31 Mar 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - Sea.2c Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
30 Jun 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) From AT to Pearl Harbor T.H. - Sea.2c Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 27 June 1940 from Sea2c to F.3c. AUTH: Art. D-5114 (1) BuNav.Man.
30 Sep 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F3c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
The U.S.S Houston (CA-30) was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser.
30 Nov 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) sailing from Manila P.I. - F3c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 16 November 1940 to F.2c AUTH" BaseFor Quota 2-41
31 Dec 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F2c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
30 Sep 1941, 31 Dec 1941 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F1c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
Battle of Sunda Strait - On 28 February 1942, the day after the Battle of the Java Sea, the ABDA cruisers HMAS Perth and USS Houston received orders to sail through Sunda Strait to Tjilatjap, on the south coast of Java. The only ships they expected to encounter were Australian corvettes on patrol in and around the strait.
By chance, just after 22:00, the Imperial Japanese Army 16th Army's Western Java Invasion Convoy — over 50 transports was entering Bantam Bay, near the northwest tip of Java. The Japanese troop transports were escorted by the 5th Destroyer Flotilla and the 7th Cruiser Division. Rear Admiral Hara's light cruiser Natori—with the destroyers Harukaze, Hatakaze, Asakaze, Fubuki, Hatsuyuki, Shirayuki, Shirakumo, and Murakumo—were closest to the convoy. Flanking the bay to the north were cruisers Mogami and Mikuma — and the destroyer Shikinami.
It is believed that the two ships had no knowledge of the Japanese battle fleet, their last intelligence report having stated that the only Japanese warships in the area were 50 miles (43 nmi) away and headed away....Some time around 23:00, the Allied ships were sighted by the patrolling destroyer, Fubuki as they steamed into Banten Bay. The two ships were attacked but they were able to evade the first nine torpedoes launched by the Fubuki.
The Japanese destroyer squadron blocked Sunda Strait, their means of retreat, and the Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma stood dangerously near. The Houston and Perth could not withdraw. Perth came under fire at 23:36 and in an hour had been sunk from gunfire and torpedo hits. On board the Houston, shells were in short supply in the forward turrets, so the crew manhandled shells from the disabled number three turret to the forward turrets. Houston then fought alone until soon after midnight, when she was struck by a torpedo and began to lose headway.
Houston's gunners had scored hits on three Japanese ships (the cruiser, Mikuma, and destroyers, Shirayuki and Harukaze) but she then suffered three more torpedo explosions in quick succession. Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30 and as the ship came to a stop Japanese destroyers moved in, machine gunning the decks. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank, her ensign still flying. Of the original crew of 1,064 men, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man USMC detachment, only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in prison camps.
F1C Robert N. Robertson was one of the 696 men that were killed or went down with the ship.
The survivors became slave labor to the Japanese on The Railway of Death and The Bridge on The River Kwai.
Houston's fate was not fully known by the world for almost nine months, and the full story of her last fight was not told until after the war was over and her survivors were liberated from the prison camps.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Houston_(CA-30)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sunda_Strait
*******************************************************************************
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll: 1 Mar 1942 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F1c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) missing 01 March 1942
World War II Navy Casualties - Wyoming Dead: Robert Nehls Robertson, Machinist's Mate, 3c, USN. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Robertson, Box 361 Thermopolis
To read more about the ship go to: http://www.usshouston.org/
In memorial of the crews of the H.M.A.S. Perth and U.S.S. Houston (CA 30)
"STILL ON WATCH IN SUNDA STRAIT"
Machinist's Mate, Third Class, U.S. Navy
Service # 3721041
Entered the Service from: Wyoming
Missing in Action: 01 March 1942, from the sinking of the U.S.S. Houston in the Sunda Strait, Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia
Officially Declared Dead: 15 December 1945
He is the son of John Glendinning Menzier Robertson and Emma Nehls.
1920 US Census (14 January 1920): Election District 11 (Crosby), Hot Springs County, Wyoming (sheet 4A, family 10) - Robert Robertson (3 Wyoming)
He enlisted 04 October 1939 in Denver, Colorado.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
31 Dec 1939 U.S.S. Vega (AK-17) Passengers Only - A.S. Robert N. Robertson USN (3721041). Transferred to U.S.S. Indianapolis for duty.
31 Dec 1939 U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) - A.S. Robert N. Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Date first received on board, 23 December 1939 from NTS, San Diego, Calif.
29 Feb 1940 U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) - A.S. Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 04 February 1940 from AS to Sea2c. Auth: Art. D-5108 (1) BuNavMan.; Transferred 06 February 1940 to U.S.S. Houston
31 Mar 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - Sea.2c Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
30 Jun 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) From AT to Pearl Harbor T.H. - Sea.2c Robert Nehls Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 27 June 1940 from Sea2c to F.3c. AUTH: Art. D-5114 (1) BuNav.Man.
30 Sep 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F3c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
The U.S.S Houston (CA-30) was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser.
30 Nov 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) sailing from Manila P.I. - F3c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Denver, Colorado. Change of Rating 16 November 1940 to F.2c AUTH" BaseFor Quota 2-41
31 Dec 1940 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F2c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
30 Sep 1941, 31 Dec 1941 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F1c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) Enlisted 04 October 1939, Date first received on board, 06 February 1940.
Battle of Sunda Strait - On 28 February 1942, the day after the Battle of the Java Sea, the ABDA cruisers HMAS Perth and USS Houston received orders to sail through Sunda Strait to Tjilatjap, on the south coast of Java. The only ships they expected to encounter were Australian corvettes on patrol in and around the strait.
By chance, just after 22:00, the Imperial Japanese Army 16th Army's Western Java Invasion Convoy — over 50 transports was entering Bantam Bay, near the northwest tip of Java. The Japanese troop transports were escorted by the 5th Destroyer Flotilla and the 7th Cruiser Division. Rear Admiral Hara's light cruiser Natori—with the destroyers Harukaze, Hatakaze, Asakaze, Fubuki, Hatsuyuki, Shirayuki, Shirakumo, and Murakumo—were closest to the convoy. Flanking the bay to the north were cruisers Mogami and Mikuma — and the destroyer Shikinami.
It is believed that the two ships had no knowledge of the Japanese battle fleet, their last intelligence report having stated that the only Japanese warships in the area were 50 miles (43 nmi) away and headed away....Some time around 23:00, the Allied ships were sighted by the patrolling destroyer, Fubuki as they steamed into Banten Bay. The two ships were attacked but they were able to evade the first nine torpedoes launched by the Fubuki.
The Japanese destroyer squadron blocked Sunda Strait, their means of retreat, and the Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma stood dangerously near. The Houston and Perth could not withdraw. Perth came under fire at 23:36 and in an hour had been sunk from gunfire and torpedo hits. On board the Houston, shells were in short supply in the forward turrets, so the crew manhandled shells from the disabled number three turret to the forward turrets. Houston then fought alone until soon after midnight, when she was struck by a torpedo and began to lose headway.
Houston's gunners had scored hits on three Japanese ships (the cruiser, Mikuma, and destroyers, Shirayuki and Harukaze) but she then suffered three more torpedo explosions in quick succession. Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30 and as the ship came to a stop Japanese destroyers moved in, machine gunning the decks. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank, her ensign still flying. Of the original crew of 1,064 men, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man USMC detachment, only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in prison camps.
F1C Robert N. Robertson was one of the 696 men that were killed or went down with the ship.
The survivors became slave labor to the Japanese on The Railway of Death and The Bridge on The River Kwai.
Houston's fate was not fully known by the world for almost nine months, and the full story of her last fight was not told until after the war was over and her survivors were liberated from the prison camps.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Houston_(CA-30)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sunda_Strait
*******************************************************************************
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll: 1 Mar 1942 U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) - F1c Robert N Robertson USN (3721041) missing 01 March 1942
World War II Navy Casualties - Wyoming Dead: Robert Nehls Robertson, Machinist's Mate, 3c, USN. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Robertson, Box 361 Thermopolis
To read more about the ship go to: http://www.usshouston.org/
In memorial of the crews of the H.M.A.S. Perth and U.S.S. Houston (CA 30)
"STILL ON WATCH IN SUNDA STRAIT"
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Wyoming.
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