- Other Entry
- SURNAME
Black
- FORENAME
Robert Armstrong,Jr
- UNIT
U.S.N.R. UDT-10
- RANK
Quartermaster First Class
- NUMBER
8114404
- DATE OF DEATH
5th April 1945
- AGE
34
- GRAVESITE
Manila American Cemetery, Philippines Tablets of the Missing
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Ridgewood, New Jersey
born 13.1.1911 Jersey City, New Jersey
award Silver Star
OSS swimmer
POW Yap 19.8.1944 (USS Burrfish)
last heard of 2.9.1944 Palau on ship bound for Manila
Robert Black was a member of a UDT team that, embarked in U.S.S. Burrfish (SS-312), made a reconnaissance of the beaches at Palau and Yap in 1944 to prepare for the invasion. Going ashore in rubber rafts, it marked the first time Navy special forces such as these specially trained swimmers were deployed from a submarine. He and two comrades were captured on August 20, 1944. It is believed all three men were executed while in captivity.
DATE OF DEATH:
05-Apr-1945AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/black-robert-armstrong.48045/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Quartermaster First Class Robert Armstrong Black (NSN: 8114404), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a member of a Special Reconnaissance Detachment, Underwater Demolitions Team TEN (UDT-10), operating from the U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS-312), which was assigned the mission of investigating certain enemy-held Islands. Although aware of the dangers inherent in the long voyage required in the execution of the mission, of the difficulties of landing upon enemy beaches, and of the limited means of escape in the event of discovery by the enemy, he volunteered for the duty. Without disclosing his presence to the enemy, he made a successful reconnaissance of an enemy held island, and obtained valuable information concerning its beaches and adjacent waters. On a second occasion, with complete disregard of personal safety he volunteered for a mission through heavy surf over a dangerous reef. Throughout these hazardous missions, he displayed the utmost courage and daring, and demonstrated his willingness to risk his life in an effort to accomplish a task vital to operations of our forces against the enemy. His performance of duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/302435FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35571014/robert-armstrong-black
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