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Contact Info
Home Town Chevy Chase, MD
Last Address Arlington National Cemetery.
Date of Passing Feb 17, 2010
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
GILLETTE ROBERT C. GILLETTE, Captain U.S. Navy (Ret.) Robert Charles "Bing" Gillette, 93, a retired Navy Captain and submariner, died February 17, 2010, at his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He served at bases in Coronado, CA, New London, CT and Charleston, S.C. After he retired in 1969, he settled in the Washington area with beloved wife of 62 years, Margalee Corcoran.
Capt. Gillette was a 1939 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. He was renowned both for his exceptional basketball skills -- he is still remembered for his hard-court magic and as the "best story teller on both sides of the Mississippi." He attended Submarine School in New London CT. During World War II, he served as Navigator and Executive Officer of the USS Lapon (SS-260) for eight war patrols, for which the Lapon received the Navy Unit Citation for sinking or damaging over 100,000 tons of Japanese shipping. Capt. Gillette received two Silver Stars for his part in that outstanding record. He then became Commanding Officer of the USS Blackfish (SS-221). While CO, the Blackfish was responsible for the rescue of eight downed aviators during one of their patrols, for which he received a Letter of Commendation. Upon his retirement in 1969, he received the Legion of Merit for his 30 years of naval service.
After the war, he served in numerous command assignments including the USS Pomodon (SS-486), USS Fulton (AS-11), and USS Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16). He attended the Armed Forces Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
From 1969 to1973, he was employed by General Dynamics. He was then selected to serve as Director of Field Operations for the Emergency Energy Allocations Program, the precursor to the Department of Energy and continued with the Department until 1981 after it was elevated to a Cabinet-level agency. At the request of the Navy, Captain Gillette served as the Executive Director of the Naval Undersea Museum Foundation at Keyport, WA, raising over $11 million and overseeing its construction until its opening in 1991. He supported this effort until his death.
Interment: Arlington National Cemetery.
Other Comments:
Awards and Citations
Silver Star
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Robert Charles Gillette, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on board the U.S.S. LAPON (SS-260) as Assistant Approach Officer, Executive Officer and Navigator during the THIRD War Patrol of that Submarine from 22 January to 1 April 1944. Throughout this patrol his submarine operated in enemy controlled waters, often in close proximity to strong and numerous enemy military and naval forces. His submarine was attacked by enemy forces with aerial bombs, depth charges, and shell fire. The exceptionally distinguished and meritorious manner in which he assisted in the control of the torpedo fire in the attacks delivered and the invaluable calm and inspiring supervision he exercised under the trying conditions of enemy attack contributed largely to the heavy damage inflicted to the enemy and the safe return of this vessel to port, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 01737 (July 2, 1944) Action Date: January 22 - April 1, 1944 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Company: Assistant Approach Officer Division: U.S.S. Lapon (SS-260)
Silver Star
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Robert Charles Gillette, United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action as Assistant Approach Officer of the U.S.S. LAPON (SS-260), during the SIXTH War Patrol of that Submarine in enemy controlled waters from 4 September 1944 to 31 October 1944. While so serving his submarine successfully attacked Japanese shipping with a credited total of 25,600 tons sunk and 9,800 damaged, winning the commendation of the Commander SEVENTH Fleet and the award of the Navy Cross for his Commanding Officer. His vessel was constantly in contact with the enemy sea and air forces. His cool, courageous and efficient execution of his duties during attacks and strong counterattacks by the enemy, contributed largely to the heavy damage inflicted and to the safe return of his vessel to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men of his ship, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0726 (February 15, 1945) Action Date: September 4 - October 31, 1944 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Company: Assistant Approach Officer Division: U.S.S. Lapon (SS-260)
World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
September / 1945
Description The plan of the Pacific subseries was determined by the geography, strategy, and the military organization of a theater largely oceanic. Two independent, coordinate commands, one in the Southwest Pacific under General of the Army Douglas MacArthur and the other in the Central, South, and North Pacific (Pacific Ocean Areas) under Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, were created early in the war. Except in the South and Southwest Pacific, each conducted its own operations with its own ground, air, and naval forces in widely separated areas. These operations required at first only a relatively small number of troops whose efforts often yielded strategic gains which cannot be measured by the size of the forces involved. Indeed, the nature of the objectivesùsmall islands, coral atolls, and jungle-bound harbors and airstrips, made the employment of large ground forces impossible and highlighted the importance of air and naval operations. Thus, until 1945, the war in the Pacific progressed by a double series of amphibious operations each of which fitted into a strategic pattern developed in Washington.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1943
To Month/Year
December / 1943
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories During World War II, he served as Navigator and Executive Officer of the USS Lapon (SS-260) for eight war patrols, for which the Lapon received the Navy Unit Citation for sinking or damaging over 100,000 tons of Japanese shipping. Capt. Gillette received two Silver Stars for his part in that outstanding record. He then became Commanding Officer of the USS Blackfish (SS-221). While CO, the Blackfish was responsible for the rescue of eight downed aviators during one of their patrols, for which he received a Letter of Commendation. Upon his retirement in 1969, he received the Legion of Merit for his 30 years of naval service.
