ROBERT B. MADSEN, ENS, USN
Robert Madsen '44
Lucky Bag
From the 1944 Lucky Bag:
Robert Bruce Madsen
Minneapolis, Minnesota
"NAVY OFFERS CHANCES FOR ADVANCEMENT!" And passing a Minneapolis post office one day, a young bricklayer saw the sign. Next year, he entered the Academy, and, although he dragged often, he never again saw a brick. "Big Bob" brought to Navy an expansive grin and plenty of Scandinavian ambition. Robert showed aptitude for study, sailing, and philosophizing. He could harmonize in a quartet and hold his own in the "bull sessions." When Bob concentrated on something new, he really mastered it and looked on for new fields to conquer. Minnesota gave this lad to Navy, and Uncle Sam will never be able to pay her back. Smooth sailin', Bob.
The Class of 1944 was graduated in June 1943 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Robert Bruce Madsen
Minneapolis, Minnesota
"NAVY OFFERS CHANCES FOR ADVANCEMENT!" And passing a Minneapolis post office one day, a young bricklayer saw the sign. Next year, he entered the Academy, and, although he dragged often, he never again saw a brick. "Big Bob" brought to Navy an expansive grin and plenty of Scandinavian ambition. Robert showed aptitude for study, sailing, and philosophizing. He could harmonize in a quartet and hold his own in the "bull sessions." When Bob concentrated on something new, he really mastered it and looked on for new fields to conquer. Minnesota gave this lad to Navy, and Uncle Sam will never be able to pay her back. Smooth sailin', Bob.
The Class of 1944 was graduated in June 1943 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
Robert was lost when his submarine, USS S-28 (SS 133), sank for unknown reasons on July 4, 1944 near Hawaii.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
When Robert was 15 years old, he broke his right leg when he fell over a 50-foot cliff in Battle Creek Park, near St. Paul. He was viewing the scenery with several companions when a rock gave way, and he tumbled down the cliff. Per The Minneapolis Star, September 13, 1937.
Robert graduated from Ramsey junior and Washburn high schools. “His middle name is ‘reliable’.” Awards Committee; National Honor Society; Harlequin Club (drama); Wrestling.
Robert was nominated to the Naval Academy by Congressmen Oscar F. Youngdahl and John G. Alexander. He received preparatory work at Northwest Military and Naval Preparatory school in Minneapolis.
In 1940, his father was Otto, mother Viola, and sisters Lolita and Virginia. Robert and his father were both listed in the census as bricklayers.
His service number was O-282857 and he was survived by his parents.
Robert is listed at the Courts of the Missing in Hawaii, and there is a memorial for the boat and her crew in North Carolina.
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
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