This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Michael D. Withers (Mike), OSCS
to remember
Tobin, Robert Gibson, RADM USN(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Ronceverte, WV
Last Address Chevy Chase, MD
Date of Passing Aug 11, 1958
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates 30 111
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Robert Tobin served in the Navy from 30 March 1917 until 1 June 1949.
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: Destroyer Squadron 12
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 326 (May 1944)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Robert Gibson Tobin, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWELVE, during action against enemy Japanese naval forces off Savo Island during the Battle of Cape Esperance on the night of 11 - 12 October 1942. Captain Tobin maintained an effective screen with his destroyer division for cruisers and transports, and extricated his own ships after inflicting severe damage on Japanese forces. Captain Tobin's inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 326 (May 1944)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Captain Robert Gibson Tobin, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWELVE, during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island on the night of 12 - 13 November, 1942. On this occasion Captain Tobin's Destroyer Division engaged at close quarters and defeated a superior enemy force, inflicting heavy damage upon them and preventing the accomplishment of their intended mission. This daring and intrepid attack, brilliantly executed, led to a great victory for his country's forces. By his indomitable fighting spirit, expert seamanship, and gallant devotion to duty, Captain Tobin contributed largely to the success of the battle and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 326 (May 1944)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Captain Robert Gibson Tobin, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Light Cruiser U.S.S. MONTPELIER (CL-57), during the initial bombardment of Shortland-Faisi-Ballale from 30 October 1943 to 2 November 1943. Later, during an engagement with Japanese naval forces at EmpressAugustaBay, off Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on the night of 1 - 2 November 1943, with his Task Force engaging a Japanese surface force of superior fire power, Commander Tobin sought out and engaged six Japanese warships, pressing home vigorous and unrelenting attacks. He hurled the full fighting strength of his ship against the enemy and, by his inspiring leadership and skilled combat tactics, evoked the indomitable fighting spirit which enabled his officers and men to contribute materially to the sinking of four ships and the serious damaging of two others, thereby aiding in the establishment of our beachhead on BougainvilleIsland. Captain Tobin's inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
Guadalcanal Campaign (1942-43)/Battle of Cape Esperance
From Month/Year
October / 1942
To Month/Year
October / 1942
Description Cape Esperance (Second Savo) October 11–12, 1942. The Battle of Cape Esperance, also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island and, in Japanese sources, as the Sea Battle of Savo Island, took place on 11–12 October 1942, and was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and United States Navy. The battle was the second of four major surface engagements during the Guadalcanal campaign and took place at the entrance to the strait between Savo Island and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Cape Esperance (9°15′S 159°42′E) is the northernmost point on Guadalcanal, and the battle took its name from this point.
On the night of 11 October, Japanese naval forces in the Solomon Islands area—under the command of Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa—sent a major supply and reinforcement convoy to their forces on Guadalcanal. The convoy consisted of two seaplane tenders and six destroyers and was commanded by Rear Admiral Takatsugu Jojima. At the same time, but in a separate operation, three heavy cruisers and two destroyers—under the command of Rear Admiral Aritomo Goto-were to bombard the Allied airfield on Guadalcanal (called Henderson Field by the Allies) with the object of destroying Allied aircraft and the airfield's facilities.
Shortly before midnight on 11 October, a U.S force of four cruisers and five destroyers—under the command of Rear Admiral Norman Scott—intercepted Goto's force as it approached Savo Island near Guadalcanal. Taking the Japanese by surprise, Scott's warships sank one of Goto's cruisers and one of his destroyers, heavily damaged another cruiser, mortally wounded Goto, and forced the rest of Goto's warships to abandon the bombardment mission and retreat. During the exchange of gunfire, one of Scott's destroyers was sunk and one cruiser and another destroyer were heavily damaged. In the meantime, the Japanese supply convoy successfully completed unloading at Guadalcanal and began its return journey without being discovered by Scott's force. Later on the morning of 12 October, four Japanese destroyers from the supply convoy turned back to assist Goto's retreating, damaged warships. Air attacks by U.S. aircraft from Henderson Field sank two of these destroyers later that day.
As with the preceding naval engagements, around Guadalcanal, the strategic outcome was inconsequential because neither the Japanese nor United States navies secured operational control of the waters around Guadalcanal as a result of this action. However, the Battle of Cape Esperance provided a significant morale boost to the US Navy after the disaster of Savo Island.