Private Robert Eugene Anthony, USMC 409375, was from Mississippi but his next of kin was his foster (adoptive?) mother Havilla A Fletcher of 426 1/2 S. Lawton, Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the corrected Headstone and Inscription Record below her address is 5600 Scarritt in Kansas City, MO.

In the 1930 census 4 (almost 5) year old Robert is living with Albert H and Havilla A Anthony on US Hwy 24 in Blue, Jackson County, Missouri. Blue is just east of Kansas City. His father is a baggage hopper for the Terminal Railroad. By the 1940 census the Anthonys are in Kansas City with three boarders in their household but Robert who would have been 15 by then is not listed.

Pvt Anthony was in the Headquarters Company of 1st Battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. They landed on Peleliu Island on 15 Sep 1944 to capture the strategic airfield to use for bombing the Philippines.

Pvt Anthony was killed in action in Palau on 28 Sep 1944.

On 28 Sep 1944, American Marines boarded amtracs and traveled 500 to 700 yards of shallow water to the nearby Ngedbus Island, where Japanese artillery were based. The landing operation at Ngedbus was support exclusively by Marine aircraft. The Corsair of marine Fighter Squadron 114 unloaded their bombs and rockets on the Japanese positions, then strafed everything that moved. Meanwhile, one battleship supported by cruisers and destroyers bombarded areas inland to soften the defenses further.

The fighting was tough in the ridges and caves of the island, but the Marines were able to keep casualties to a minimum. When the island was secured several days later, the Americans suffered 15 killed and 33 wounded.

Anthony, Robert Eugene, PFC