Robert Herman Stadler (1922 - 1945)

Born 7 Feb 1922 in Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, United States

Died 30 Jul 1945 at age 23 in Philippine Sea

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Biography

Water Tender 3rd Class Robert Stadler served in the United States Navy in World War II
Service started: 22 Feb 1944
Unit(s): USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
Service ended: 30 Jul 1945

Water Tender 3rd Class Robert Stadler was Killed in Action during World War II.

Robert Stadler was awarded the Purple Heart.

Robert was born in 1922. His parents were John Stadler 1900–1925 and Emma Lemberger LeBeck 1903–1988.

Robert enlisted in the naval reserve on 22 Feb 1944, he was stationed on the USS Indianapolis on 27 Apr 1944, he served as Water Tender 3rd class.^[1]

In July 1945 the USS Indianapolis was sent on a secret mission to deliver the components of the Little Boy atomic bomb to Tinian Island without an escort, on the return trip, still without escort, it was attacked by a Japanese submarine. The USS Indianapolis sank in 12 minutes on 30 Jul 1945 with some 300 of the 1,195 crewmen aboard going down with the ship. With few lifeboats and many without life jackets, only 316 of the nearly 900 men set adrift survived the 4 days in shark infested water before rescue. David was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. The crew of the USS Indianapolis was later awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. ^[2][3]

Robert is honored at two memorials: USS Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana and Fort William Mckinley, Manila, Philippines.^[4][5]

Sources

1. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-JJ)n !content/view/30447260:1143?tid=&pid=&queryId=8d652b420b2f9fc4f5f5ac9c03d02d36&_phsrc=pkI6&_phstart=successSource
2. ↑ U.S., Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Unaccounted-for Remains, Group B (Unrecoverable) https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/42846:62207
3. ↑ U.S., Navy Casualties Books https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/99002:2324
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135110045/robert-herman-stadler: accessed 01 July 2023), memorial page for Robert Herman “Bobby” Stadler (7 Feb 1922–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 135110045; Buried or Lost at Sea, Killed when the USS Indianapolis was sunk; Maintained by Kenneth Madl (contributor 48150000).
5. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194080257/robert-herman-stadler: accessed 01 July 2023), memorial page for Robert Herman Stadler (7 Feb 1922–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 194080257, citing U.S.S. Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA; Maintained by Laura J. Stewart (contributor 47412616).

• "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X93X-CPS : accessed 2 July 2023), Robert H Stadler in household of John F Le Bech, Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin
• 1940 United States Federal Census https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/78207764:2442
• Robert is included on the USS Indianapolis in World War II Wikitree Space Page https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:USS_Indianapolis_%28CA-35%29_in_World_War_II