This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Smith, Robert Holmes, CAPT.
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Contact Info
Home Town Harrellsville
Last Address Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Date of Passing Jan 21, 1943
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Captain Smith was Commander of Submarine Squadron 2, Pacific Submarine Force, when he died in the crash of the Philippine Clipper flying boat in Northern California on 21 January 1943.
Other Comments:
USS Robert H. Smith (DD-735/DM-23) was the lead ship of her class of destroyer minelayers, and named in honor of Captain Smith.
Born in Harrellsville, North Carolina, CAPT Smith graduated from the Naval Academy on 6 June 1919. After duty on various surface ships, he served with the Submarine Service for 17 years.
He commanded USS Bonita (SS-165), was an instructor at the New London submarine school, a member of the Naval Academy staff, Submarine Gunnery Officer with the Bureau of Navigation, Navigation Officer on USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), and Chief of Staff for Submarine Division, Atlantic Patrol Force.
Following promotion to captain, he commanded USS Sperry (AS-12) in the Pacific from May 1942 to January 1943.
Rank/Rate
Captain
Service Number
0-055994
Birth Date
August 8, 1898
From
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Decorations
Legion of Merit, Bronze Star
Command
COMSUBRON 2
Loss Date
January 21, 1943
Location
Near Booneville, California, north of San Francisco
Circumstances
Killed in the crash of the Philippine Clipper
Remarks
Robert was born in Harrellsville, North Carolina.
He had just been relieved of command of USS Sperry.
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