ROBERT D. STANNUS, ENS, USN
Robert Stannus '58
Lucky Bag
From the 1958 Lucky Bag:
ROBERT DICKIE STANNUS
San Antonio, Texas
Dick was one who always wished there were more than twenty-four hours in a day; one of the busiest men around, we always wondered how he could combine his many activities and his academics so smoothly. All you had to do to find him was be patient and hope that you could catch him between rounds. His career with the Log was long and distinguished, and he was chosen as editor-in-chief for First Class year. Academics and intramurals also gave Dick ample chance to flex his many abilities. Still he found time to drag, although his femme sometimes had to wait for the Log to go to press. Hoping someday to be a Naval attache, Dick will begin in Navy line.
From the Lucky Bag write-up for The Log:
Every two weeks we would find one of the best college magazines going waiting for us. This was the Log, ably skippered this year by Dick Stannus, for whose untiring efforts to improve his magazine enough can't be said. The Log office was always one of the busiest places we could find, where efficiency was taken for granted. With George David handling the purse strings and Paul Klinedinst helping ComLog coordinate the various departments, this outfit never had any trouble meeting deadlines. For appeal to mids, parents, OAO's, and friends alike, the Log just couldn't be beat.
ROBERT DICKIE STANNUS
San Antonio, Texas
Dick was one who always wished there were more than twenty-four hours in a day; one of the busiest men around, we always wondered how he could combine his many activities and his academics so smoothly. All you had to do to find him was be patient and hope that you could catch him between rounds. His career with the Log was long and distinguished, and he was chosen as editor-in-chief for First Class year. Academics and intramurals also gave Dick ample chance to flex his many abilities. Still he found time to drag, although his femme sometimes had to wait for the Log to go to press. Hoping someday to be a Naval attache, Dick will begin in Navy line.
From the Lucky Bag write-up for The Log:
Every two weeks we would find one of the best college magazines going waiting for us. This was the Log, ably skippered this year by Dick Stannus, for whose untiring efforts to improve his magazine enough can't be said. The Log office was always one of the busiest places we could find, where efficiency was taken for granted. With George David handling the purse strings and Paul Klinedinst helping ComLog coordinate the various departments, this outfit never had any trouble meeting deadlines. For appeal to mids, parents, OAO's, and friends alike, the Log just couldn't be beat.
Loss
Dick was lost when he drowned following a rescue of another man who was swept overboard from USS Bexar (APA 237) on August 9, 1959.
Other Information
From Mt. Vernon Register-News of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, on August 11, 1959:
Heavy seas generated by Typhoon Ellen caused the death of four sailors on the U.S. Navy's attack transport Bexar, the Navy announced today. The Navy said the 455-foot-long Bexar was en route to Okinawa Sunday when a huge wave broke over her bow, washing two men overboard and knocking seven others against the anchor windlass and a bulwark. Two of the latter died of their injuries.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Robert voluntarily dove into heavy seas and saved Marine Cpl. Hileo J. Henning, Yakima, Washington, but lost his own life. The Bexar was 180 miles southwest of Yokosuka, Naval port near Tokyo, and headed for Buckner Bay, Okinawa.
He graduated in 1954 from Alamo Heights High School. Nickname: “Dickie.” Activities: National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, Student Council 1, 4, Treas. 4; Most Representative at prom 2 (see photo); Hi-Y 2-4, Pres. 2, Sec. Treas. 3; Spanish Club 2-4, Vice Pres. 3, Adv. Pres. 2, B Football 3; Varsity Baseball 3, 4; Asst.-Ed of Olmos 4; Mule Stall Council (sponsors dances and events,) House Chairman 4. Next: Texas University.
Father George, manager soft drink bottling company, mother Marion.
Dick is buried in Texas. (Possible this is only a memory marker; unclear if his body was recovered.)
Photographs
From the Lucky Bag
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Ensign Robert D. Stannus, United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in sacrificing his own life in an attempt to save the life of another, while serving as Officer of the Deck on board the U.S.S. BEXAR (APA-237) on 9 August 1959. When a shipmate was swept overboard from the BEXAR into the heavy seas by a huge wave, Ensign Stannus voluntarily entered the hazardous waters in a daring attempt to effect a rescue. After a safety line had been passed to the victim, Ensign Stannus swam toward the ship, but was dragged beneath the surface of the water by a heavy roll of the vessel and was drowned.
General Orders: All Hands (December 1959)
Action Date: August 9, 1959
Service: Navy
Rank: Ensign
Division: U.S.S. Bexar (APA-237)
Related Articles
Paul Klinedinst '58 was also on the staff of The Log.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
