Naval hero is killed in Caribbean, accidental bombing causes death of Cmdr. Robb

Naval hero is killed in Caribbean, accidental bombing causes death of Cmdr. Robb

Newspaper clipping. Article likely from Staten Island Advance. Undated clipping; almost certainly April 1946. Describes the circumstances of the death of James W. Robb, as well as his military service. Transcript: "Nine Navy men, including 33-year-old Cmdr. James W. Robb of Port Richmond, were killed in Puerto Rico Thursday when planes flying from the 27,000-ton carrier Tarawa accidentally bombed an observation tower on the edge of an airfield in Culebra, Puerto Rico, the Navy Department revealed early last night. According to the Navy's preliminary version of the tragedy, one of the planes from the Tarawa, which had been commissioned only recently and is in the Caribbean area on her shakedown cruise, was said to have dropped accidentally a '500 or 1,000 pound bomb' on the observation tower during practice air support exercises. The victims were stationed in the tower watching the planes make bomb runs on a nearby target. An immediate investigation to fix responsibility has been ordered, the Navy stated. Names of only seven of the victims were revealed by the Navy. Identity of the other two is being withheld, the Navy said, pending notification of next of kin. In Navy 11 Years. Killed with Cmdr. Robb, a Navy veteran with almost 11 years of continuous service, were Cmdr. Dewitt Shumway of Norfolk Va., Lt. William E. Dougherty of New Britain, Conn., Lt. Stanley J. Effross of Rockaway, L.I., Radioman second class Robert C. Culliver of Hot Springs, Ark., Electrician's Mate second class Ralph C. Dropp of West Allis, Wis., and Radioman second class Frank H. Pownsberry of Washington D.C. The Port Richmond man had been home on a flying weekend visit only three weeks ago, his family said last night. Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Robb of 167 Harrison avenue, the commander is survived by a brother, Harry, of 135 Palmer avenue, and two sisters, Mrs. Grace Donohue of the Harrison avenue address and Mrs. Elizabeth McManus of 34 Hamlin place, all of Port Richmond. Two nephews also survive. Received Navy Cross. Cmdr. Robb was the first Islander to receive the Navy Cross during the past war. He won the award after he volunteered to take aloft during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor an undamaged amphibian plane and search for the enemy task force. The plane had no firepower of its own and Robb's only weapon was a rifle. The flier entered the Navy in 1935, less than three months after he was graduated from Wagner College. At school he was a basketball and football star and a member of Alpha Kappa Pi Fraternity. He entered the school after finishing Port Richmond High School, where he was also active in sports, playing on the football and basketball teams. He started his flight training at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn. At that field he was cadet commander of his class and the first cadet in Naval Aviation Reserve history to achieve a 100 per cent solo record. Went to Puerto Rico. After his preliminary training in Brooklyn, the Port Richmond naval man went to Pensacola, Fla., for a year's flight instruction. He was officially designated a naval aviator Jan. 1, 1937 and ordered to duty aboard the USS New Orleans. In 1940 he was appointed to the Regular Navy as a lieutenant, junior grade, a rank he retained until he was promoted for his Pearl Harbor feat. Ordered to new Orleans to receive the Navy Cross, Cmdr. Robb was transferred to the Naval Air School, Corpus Christi, Texas, to serve as an instructor. After tours at stations in the United States, he returned to the Pacific. At the time of his death, he was attached to amphibious forces on maneuvers in Puerto Rico." Names: Robb, James William, 1912-1946

1946-04

Military air pilots

Accidents

Culebra, Puerto Rico, United States

Private collection of Ellen Robb, Harvey Cedars, NJ.

In Copyright - Copyright Unlocatable or Unidentifiable

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