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Contact Info
Home Town Portsmouth, N.H.
Last Address Annapolis, MD
Date of Passing Jul 18, 1989
Location of Interment U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium (VLM) - Annapolis, Maryland
Wall/Plot Coordinates 03 0343
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Smith (DD-378)
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 317 (August 1943)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Alfred Theobald, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Executive Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. SMITH (DD-378), during the engagement with enemy Japanese forces north of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. When a flaming Japanese plane crashed on the forecastle of his ship, its torpedo exploding, Lieutenant Commander Theobald gallantly led a fire party to the scene despite fierce aerial attacks, finally extinguished the blaze, thereby enabling his ship to maintain her station in a carrier's screen. The conduct of Lieutenant Commander Theobald throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
