Robert A. “Bobby” True was born 23 December 1925 in Owen County, Kentucky to Raymond Lee and Bertha C. (nee Howard) True. He was the youngest of three brothers.

He attended high school for three years but did not earn a diploma. Robert, serial number 35816292, enlisted in the Army 9 August 1944 at Louisville, Kentucky. After basic training he was assigned to the 417th Regiment, 76th Infantry Division. The 76th was sent to Europe for combat duty. On 7 February Robert was part of an assault on the Siegfried line. He received his fatal wounds as he was crossing the Sauer River into Germany. Upon receiving his wounds, Robert fell into the river. The Sauer river was at flood stage with raging torrents of water moving swiftly to the sea. Hence, Robert's body was not recovered because of strong German defensive mortar and small arm fire and the danger of trying to rescue a body on a river at flood stage. Robert’s mother, Bertha, became physically ill believing her son had been captured and was tortured in a prison camp. The family wrote directly to General Patton for more detailed answers. A reply, signed by General Patton, statedBobby and several other men had been crossing the river in a boat when they took a direct hit by artillery fire and were presumed dead. Military awards: Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, WWII Victory, Service Lapel Button WWII.

Source:

Kentucky Vitial Statistics, January, 1921 - December, 1925, birth certificate: volume 133, certificiate 66032; FHL 209,622.

1940 - Grant County, Kentucky, Corinth, E.D. 41-9, page 1B, line 47; NARA T627\_1308 or https://ancestry.com. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938 - 1945, NARA Record Group 64; https://ancestry.com. Letter from National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100, dated 28 January 2004 to Garry True.

Findagrave.com memorial # 91866449.

Robert A. True

Source Documents