FORCE RECON Starbuck, Robert French (Bob)

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Starbuck
  • FORENAME
Robert French (Bob)
  • UNIT
1 Recon Bn (A Company) (1 MarDiv)
  • RANK
Sergeant
  • NUMBER
1939063
  • DATE OF DEATH
4th February 1967
  • AGE
25
  • GRAVESITE
Beaufort National Cemetery,Beaufort,Beaufort County,South Carolina Section 41 Site 52
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Montgomery,New York
born 17.7.1941 Atlantic City,New Jersey
son of Sidney and Mrs Starbuck
single
attended Montgomery High School
graduated Valley Central High School,Montgomery 1960
attended Orange County Community College
entered service 1961 (6 years)
1 Infantry Training Regiment (Marine Corps Recruit Depot,Parris Island,South Carolina) 1961
USS Little Rock 1961-63
Drill Instructors School,MCRD,Parris Island 1964
MCRD,Parris Island (Drill Instructor,2 Recruit Bn) 1964-66 (Cpl)
7th Marine Regiment (D Company,1 Bn) 1966
WIA 1966 South Vietnam (2 weeks in hospital)
1 Recon Bn 1967
award Silver Star (posthumous)
WIA 3.2.1967 (2300 hours) near Sa Khom,Quang Ngai Province,South Vietnam
DOW
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 14E Line 121
 

DATE OF DEATH:

04-Feb-1967

AWARD:

https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/starbuck-robert-french.51162/

CITATION:

Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Robert French Starbuck (MCSN: 1939063), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the vicinity of Duc Pho, Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam on 3 February 1967. Serving as a patrol leader, Sergeant Starbuck led an eleven-man reconnaissance patrol deep into Viet Cong controlled territory. With professional skill and diligence he positioned the members of his patrol to the best advantage against a possible enemy night attack. Exercising sound tactical judgment, he assigned each man his position and fields of fire, and instructed each man on his conduct and responsibility in the event of attack. When the patrol was fiercely attacked by sixty Viet Cong under cover of heavy darkness, Sergeant Starbuck disregarded his own personal safety and unhesitatingly exposed himself to the withering small arms fire to direct and encourage the members of his patrol until he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. By his aggressive fighting spirit and initiative, he served to inspire all who observed him and contributed directly to the survival of the patrol. His outstanding courage, resolute leadership and unswerving devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Last edited by a moderator:
Inside Force Recon: Recon Marines in Vietnam
By Michael Lee Lanning & Ray William Stubbe
Force Recon Diary, 1969
By B. H. Norton, Bruce H. Norton
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