Robert Lewis Robertson, Jr.
Us Marine Corps - World War I Veteran
Battle of Belleau Wood
April 6, 2023 - Robert Lewis Robertson, Jr. was born in the far east Texas town of Tenaha, Shelby County, on August 14, 1898. His parents Martha Reynolds an Alabama native and Texas-born Robert Lewis Robertson, Sr. were married in the town of Center which serves as the county seat on March 28, 1891. He had two older siblings, Ernest Clifford (1893) and Clara Amanda (1896) along with younger sister Laura Gertrude (1903). At the 1910 census, the family had moved to Dallas county, Texas where they worked and lived on a rented farm.
The United States declared war on Germany, April 6, 1917, nearly three years after the World War began in Europe. Robert now age 18 did not hesitate to answer the call for a week later he voluntarily enlisted in the US Marine Corps. Although living in Garland, Texas his record shows he took the oath of enlistment in Center, Shelby County. He and other volunteers were then sent to Parris Island, South Carolina for basic training.
On June 27, 1917, Robert departed the United States for France with Supply Company, Fifth Marine Regiment. Upon arrival, the Fifth was assigned detached duty with the First Infantry Division, US Army. Later that year in October they were reassigned to the Fourth Brigade of Marine under the Second Infantry Division. In the spring of 1918, the regiment was involved in the fierce battle of Belleau Wood and was given the nickname “Devil Dog”. The Fifth subsequently participated in the offensive campaigns at Aisne, the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, and in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. They also participated in the defensive campaigns at Toulon-Troyon, Château-Thierry, Marbache, and Lime. Following the Armistice of November 11, 1918, that ended the war the Fifth Regiment also participated in the occupation of the German Rhineland.
The regiment's actions in France earned them the right to wear the Fourragère. The award was a result of being the only one of two marine regiments in the American Expeditionary Force to receive three Croix de guerre citations. The Fourragère became part of the uniform of the unit and all members of the organization were and are authorized to wear the decoration on the left shoulder of the uniform while members of the organization.
“In all the history of the Marine Corps, there is no such battle as that one in Belleau Wood. Fighting day and night without relief, without sleep, often without water, and for days without hot rations, the Marines met and defeated the best divisions that Germany could throw into the line”….US Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniel.
On July 25, 1919, Corporal Robertson and the Fifth Regiment boarded the USS George Washington at Brest, France, and set sail for home. According to the Democrat and Chronicle Newspaper of Rochester, New York, dated August 4, 1919 “The famous Devil Dogs it was learned were given a rousing farewell when they sailed from Brest. Two French gunboats escorted the George Washington out of the harbor and fired salutes”. Arriving Sunday morning, August 3 at the port of Hoboken, New Jersey they were given a royal reception. Led by Major General John A. Lejeune, the Marine Commander of the Second Division, the 5,000 Marines and 48 “War Brides” were given a tremendous ovation. The Sixth Marines was deactivated at Quantico on August 13, 1919, after victoriously parading through the streets of New York and Washington D. C.
With his honorable discharge in hand, the World War I Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal, Robert returned to his parent’s home in Garland, Texas where he found employment in the Cotton Yards. Soon after he married Miss Lila Kelly, a son, Robert Lee was born on March 6, 1923, followed by daughter Elizabeth Ann in 1926 and son William in 1928. By the 1930 census, the family of five was living in Lefors, Gray County, Texas where Robert was working in the oil fields. Returning to the cotton industry a few years later the family moved to Memphis, Texas where he was employed by the Memphis Cotton Compress Company.
On Tuesday, January 4, 1938, Robert, and Memphis Compress co-worker Thomas Hampton were killed when a southbound Fort Worth and Denver passenger train struck their automobile at a crossing in the northwest section of Memphis. Robert was buried in the Mills Cemetery, Garland, Dallas County, Texas. His wife Lila applied for his veteran headstone on April 21, 1938. Day is done, God is nigh.
Research and biography by Larry E. Hume, VFW Post 8904, Center, Texas
Sources:
(1): http://www.shelbycountytexashistory.net/Shelby/Marriages/groomsrobe-robertson.htm
(2): Year: 1910; Census Place: Justice Precinct 3, Dallas, Texas; Roll: T624_1545; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0084; FHL microfilm: 1375558
(3): "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 18 July 2022. Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin.
(4): The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 106
(5): Year: 1920; Census Place: Garland, Dallas, Texas; Roll: T625_1794; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 87
(6): Year: 1930; Census Place: Lefors, Gray, Texas; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0014; FHL microfilm: 2342070
(7): Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA; Texas Death Certificates, 1903–1982
(8): National Archives at Washington DC; Washington DC, USA; Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941; NAID: A1, 2110-C; Record Group Number: 92; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General
