ROBERT D. WILLIAMS, ENS, USN
Robert Williams '45
Lucky Bag
From the 1945 Lucky Bag:
Robert Douglas Williams
San Jose, California
Bob, a member of that exclusive group known as "savvy" and the vice-president of the Math Club, stepped out of San Jose State College into the class of '45. He brought with him a quiet, but cheerful personality and a supply of patience that has yet to be exhausted. Give him a mountain to climb, and he will be at the height of his glory. Give him a math prob to work, and he will work it and like it. Bob waited until late in youngster year to discover that O. A. O., but after he did, you could find him dragging her at any hop or writing to her during any spare moment. When Bob leaves, he'll leave many friends.
Battalion Fencing 3; Military Track 3; Spanish Club 4, 3, 1; Math Club, Vice-Pres., 4, 3, 1; Stars 4, 3.
He was a member of the 4th Company staff (1st set).The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Robert Douglas Williams
San Jose, California
Bob, a member of that exclusive group known as "savvy" and the vice-president of the Math Club, stepped out of San Jose State College into the class of '45. He brought with him a quiet, but cheerful personality and a supply of patience that has yet to be exhausted. Give him a mountain to climb, and he will be at the height of his glory. Give him a math prob to work, and he will work it and like it. Bob waited until late in youngster year to discover that O. A. O., but after he did, you could find him dragging her at any hop or writing to her during any spare moment. When Bob leaves, he'll leave many friends.
Battalion Fencing 3; Military Track 3; Spanish Club 4, 3, 1; Math Club, Vice-Pres., 4, 3, 1; Stars 4, 3.
He was a member of the 4th Company staff (1st set).The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
Robert was lost when USS Longshaw (DD 559) ran aground near Naha, Okinawa, and was destroyed by shore battery fire.
From Wikipedia:
On the morning of 18 May 1945, following a grueling four-day period of fire support, Longshaw, en route to her patrol area, ran aground on a coral reef just south of Naha airfield, at 0719. Other attempts to free her failing, tug Arikara (ATF-98) arrived at 0945. At 1000, tug's skipper, Lieutenant John Aikin, and Radioman First Class James J Zikus, boarded to arrange recovery and communications. Towing commenced at 1100. At 1101, Japanese shore batteries opened up, hitting the water between Arikari and Longshaw. The stranded destroyer attempted to fight back as best she could; but, as she opened fire, her bow was completely blown off by a hit in the forward magazine. When efforts to save her appeared hopeless, the order "Abandon Ship" was relayed by word of mouth from the bridge. At 1105, all hands on the bridge were killed, injured, or stunned; the Longshaw's skipper, Lieutenant Commander Clarence William Becker, was reportedly there, mortally wounded, along with Radioman Zikus of the Ariaka. At 1115, the abandon ship order reached the aft fire room and engine room.
About 1200, LCI(L)-356 came alongside to remove all wounded. The ship was burning, shells were exploding in their magazines, and the decks were hot enough to cause burns; many in the rescue party were awarded medals.
The casualties included 86 dead or missing, including the skipper. (The missing were later declared dead.) In addition to the dead and missing, 95 crew members were wounded, and 113 crew members survived the sinking.
Later in the afternoon, Longshaw, battered beyond salvaging, was destroyed by gunfire and torpedoes from U.S. ships.
Robert’s body was not recovered. He was survived by his grandmother.
Related Articles
Burton Brown '45 was also in 4th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
