ROBERT LEO GUSTI was born on 30 Nov 1911 in Lynchburg City, Virginia (VA) according to his 1929 US Navy application for enlistment found in his service record, a copy of which was obtained from the National Archives in St Louis, MO. John Henry Gusti attested to the facts and signed the oath stating that he was Robert’s father and legal guardian, and to the correctness of the date and place of Robert’s birth. John also signed the consent form allowing Robert to enlist until he was 21 years of age. According to the following facts from VA records and Robert’s military records, John H. Gusti could not be the biological father of Robert L. Gusti. However, unknown events may obscure the facts on record. Only a DNA test will provided the proof positive answer.

Martha Walker “Jessie” Overstreet married Burwell Washington Wright on 22 Aug 1911 in Lynchburg, VA at age 21 (This is incorrect, she was 18) according to VA marriage records. Their marriage didn’t last long as she married Amzi (Augie) Joseph Mcninch on 18 Jun 1912 in Lynchburg, VA. Their marriage didn’t last long either for she married John Henry Gusti in Richmond, Henrico, VA on 05 Nov 1913. Unfortunately, neither Jessie nor Amzi obtained a divorce before they married again. According to VA divorce records, Amzi J. McNinch, age 33, of Washington, DC and Martha J. McNinch, 36, of Richmond, VA who married on 18 June 1912 in Lynchburg, VA were officially divorced by the Circuit Court at Richmond, VA on 18 Jan 1929. No children were born to this marriage according to the divorce record.

Interestingly, the divorce record shows the Duration of Marriage was initially typed as 1 week. One week was then penciled out with one line through it and 17 years penciled in after the first entry. Amzi was the plaintiff. Apparently Mr McNinch wasn’t concerned about divorcing Jessie before remarrying; he married Bessie Myrtle Kidwell on 13 Nov 1918 in Rockville, Montgomery, MD. A son Howard McNinch was born 16 Feb 1923 in Columbia, Richland, SC., the state of Amzi’s birth.

John Henry Gusti, a resident of Richmond, VA, joined the US Army on 28 July 1909 at Fort Slocum, New Rochelle, Westchester, NY for three years. He was discharged with a disability at Fort Bayard near Santa Clara, Grant, New Mexico on 30 May 1911 (John Gusti was nowhere near Lynchburg, VA in 1910 -1911 so if Robert was born on 30 Nov 1911, how could he be Robert’s biological father?). Fort Bayard was used by the Army as a rehabilitation hospital for Army disabilities and diseases that were incurred on active service.

Apparently, his disability wasn’t serious enough to keep him from enlisting in the Virginia National Guard’s 1st Infantry artillery unit on 30 Jun 1916. This unit engaged in the hunt for Poncho Villa after his incursion from Mexico into the US. According to the US Dept of Veteran’s Affairs records, Pvt Gusti was honorably discharged on 16 Jan 1917. His discharge was noted on his WWI draft registration card.

John Henry Gusti married Martha (Overstreet) McNinch on 05 Nov 1913 in Richmond, VA. A daughter, Lena Beatrice Rudd (1915-1994), was born to them. John and Martha divorced about 1932. He married as his second wife, Charlotte Knight Alvis on 19 Feb 1933 in Richmond, VA. They were the parents of seven children, John Henry Jr., Lois Ann, Walter A., William Anthony “Tony,” Gwendolyn Josephine “Gwen,” Joseph Thomas “Joe,” and Robert Cecil Gusti. All were half siblings of Lena Gusti.

Like so many youth of his day, Robert Leo Gusti was anxious to learn a trade, travel and find adventure. And, like many of his contemporaries, he was lured to the opportunities and steady paycheck of the US military services. Robert obtained an application for enlistment into the US Navy on 05 Nov 1928 at the Navy Recruiting Station (NRS), Richmond, VA where he filled out some information.

The application could not be processed until his 17th birthday on 30 Nov 1928. For the next five months, Robert obtained the necessary information required on his application; took entrance exams, passed background checks and obtained multiple character references and school records. According to Robert’s military application, he only completed the 5th grade at Highland Springs Grammar School. He left school to work was the reason given. On 05 Apr 1929, John H. Gusti signed the minority application consent form to allow Robert to enlisted until his 21st birthday. On 17 Apr 1929, Robert passed the physical and dental exams and took the oath as an Apprentice Seaman (AS) of the United States Navy (NSN:265-55-43) at the NRS, Richmond, VA. He agreed to serve until a day before his 21st birthday (29 Nov 1932) After which, Robert could choose to extend, reenlist or be discharged from active service. His beginning pay was $21.00 per month.

Robert left Richmond, VA later that day and traveled to the Naval Training Station (NTS) in Hampton Roads, VA (NTS, H.RDS.) for eight weeks of basic training. He reported to NTS H. RDS on 18 Apr 1929. About a month into his training, AS Gusti became ill. He was admitted to the US Naval Hospital, Norfolk, VA on 21 May 1929 for an undisclosed illness not a result of misconduct. He was discharged from the hospital on 04 June 1929 and returned to NTS H. RDS. He graduated from basic training on 22 July 1929. Upon completion, he was granted 10 days of leave to visit his family and friends before assignment to either a service school or a ship of the US Fleet. AS Gusti advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c) on 16 Aug 1929 then on 14 Sep 1929, S2c Gusti transferred from NTS H.RDS to the training ship, USS Wyoming (BB-32) for further transfer to the Pacific based, Battleship, USS New York (BB-34) for duty. He reported on board New York on 16 Sept 1929. He would remain on board New York until his discharge from service.

Later that year, S2c Gusti was granted permission to change his career field to Fireman. On 05 Dec 1929, he changed his rating to Fireman Third Class (F3c). On 21 Mar 1930, F3c Gusti advanced in rate to Fireman Second Class (F2c). On 17 Mar 1932, F3c Gusti extended his enlistment for two more years of service. The following year he married Ruth A. Davis on 20 Sep 1933 in Los Angeles County, CA. On 22 Nov 1933, Gusti advanced in rate to Fireman First Class (F1c). The next year, F1c Gusti transferred from New York to the Receiving Ship (R/S) at the Naval Operating Base (NOB), Norfolk, VA on 14 Sep 1934 in preparation for his discharge from naval service. F1c Gusti was honorably discharged from the US Navy on 30 Oct 1934. His pay was $66.00 per month. Gusti’s whereabouts for the next six years is unknown. It is believed that he remained in California with his first wife, Ruth. They divorced before 1 April 1940.

According to the 1940 San Antonio, Los Angeles, CA US census, Robert worked as a mill-right (sic). He worked for 39 weeks in 1939 and he lived in San Diego in 1935. He was divorced from Ruth. Robert was a lodger, age 30. He lived in the home of Hildred Franklin with her father, Smith Frost and her daughter, Doris Franklin age 11 (1928-1942).

A few months after the US census was taken on 01 Apr 1940, Robert made several life changing decisions. He and Hildred Frances (Frost) Franklin, both divorced, then married about 15 July 1940. It would seem that Robert’s patriotic fervor motivated him to return to service at the US navy recruiting station in Los Angeles, CA. Robert reenlisted on 19 Jul 1940 as a F1c. At his own expense, Gusti traveled to the Receiving Ship in San Diego arriving on 22 July. It took about a month before Gusti received orders to report to the converted battleship, USS Utah (BB-31/AG-16) via the heavy cruiser, USS Nashville (CL-43) for duty.

On 19 Aug 1940, F1c Gusti board the Nashville as a passenger for his ride from San Pedro, CA to Hawaii. Nashville arrived in Pearl Harbor on 27 Oct 1940 where F1c Gusti disembarked to wait for Utah to return to port on 30 Aug 1940 when he reported on board for duty. For the next four months Utah conducted anti-aircraft training until 14 Dec, when she departed for Long Beach, CA arriving on 21 Dec 1940. Utah steamed back to Pearl Harbor on 01 Apr 1941 then returned to Long Beach on 20 May 1941 for a short port visit.

On 31 May 1941, Utah entered the Puget Sound Navy Yard (PSNY) where she received an overhaul. During the overhaul, F1c Gusti advanced in rate to Machinist’s Mate Second Class (MM2c) on 01 July 1941. Utah departed PNSY on 14 Sep 1941 and steamed to Pearl Harbor to assume her normal training duties.

The winds of war between the United States and Japan blew ever harder by late 1941, and the Navy Department was hurriedly attempting to fill manning shortages in the Asiatic Fleet. In early November 1941, Gusti received orders to detach from Utah (Less than a month later Utah would be sunk on 07 Dec 1941) and report to Asiatic Station (ASTA) for assignment via the USS Rigel (Arb-1) and the transport ship, USS Chaumont (AP-5). Gusti transferred to Rigel on 10 Nov 1941 then on 21 Nov Gusti transferred to Chaumont as a passenger. She was to be his ride across the Pacific to Manila. Underway on 29 Nov 1941 from Pearl Harbor, Chaumont soon joined a convoy steaming for Manila to reinforce the Philippines. The reinforcement and resupply of the Philippines was ordered by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt who approved the plan for Operation Plum on 14 November 1941. It would prove to be a long and epic crossing.

Chaumont joined eight other ships that comprised the convoy. The flagship was the troop transport, USS Republic (AP-33). The convoy, generally known as the Pensacola Convoy for its escort ship, the heavy cruiser, USS Pensacola (CA-24) (also seen by the US Army as the "Republic Convoy"), included the gunboat, USS Niagara (PG-52), US Navy transports USS Republic (AP-33) and USS Chaumont (AP-5), the US Army transport USAT Willard A Holbrook and USAT Meigs; the US Merchant ships S.S. Admiral Halstead and S.S. Coast Farmer, and the Dutch merchant ship MS Bloemfontein.

The convoy crossed the Equator on 05 Dec 1941. When hostilities commenced between the US and Japan on 07 Dec 1941, Japanese forces attacked the Philippines. The convoy continued towards Manila until 09 Dec 1941 when the ships were ordered back to Pearl Harbor. Not long afterward, the convoy was diverted to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia via Suva, in the Fiji Islands. The convoy moored at Suva on 12 Dec 1941.

The convoy got underway from Suva on the 16th bound for Brisbane, Australia. Pensacola entered the harbor at Brisbane on 22 Dec 1941 and moored at Newstead Wharf. On the afternoon of 28 Dec, Pensacola, along with transports Chaumont and USAT Willard A. Holbrook got underway.

On 2 Jan 1942, the Dutch ship MS Bloemfontein joined the convoy. The following morning (03 Jan 42) the convoy made passage through the Torres Strait above Cape York in far North Queensland, Australia. There they were joined by the heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) and several destroyers. Houston relieved Pensacola as the convoy heavy escort, and with her destroyers and convoy ships proceeded to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. Pensacola returned to Brisbane.

Chaumont dropped anchor in Port Darwin where Gusti disembarked on 17 Jan 1942 and reported to the Commander, Destroyer Squadron 29 (CDS-29) on board the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD-9) for assignment. Black Hawk had arrived at Port Darwin on 06 Jan 1942. MM2c Gusti was transferred to the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226) for further transfer (FFT) and assignment to USS John D. Ford (DD-228) later that day. However, Gusti was not transferred to Ford as ordered. He remained on board Peary. Because the orders for his transfer to Ford were not carried out, MM2 Gusti died. Ford survived the war; Peary did not.

Peary anchored at Port Darwin at 0840, 03 Jan 1942 after a 2100 mile plus transit from Manila, Philippines to Darwin, Australia. Within a week of arriving at Darwin, twenty-eight enlisted men and officers became ill with a virulent form of Malaria or Dengue Fever, contracted when the ship anchored off remote Maitara Island near Ternate in the Halmakeras. It was necessary to stop there to make repairs after being mistakenly identified as a Japanese ship by Australian aircraft who then attacked. Eventually eight men would die from the diseases.

Peary received tender availability services from USS Black Hawk (AD-9) to affect temporary repairs and make her seaworthy. Those repairs were completed on 22 Jan 1942. Peary assumed submarine escort duties on numerous occasions. She was an anti-submarine escort for USS Langley (AV-3) from Darwin to Fremantle, Australia between 08-13 Feb 1942 and she steamed with USS Houston escorting a Darwin-Koepang convoy from 14 to 18 Feb 1942. She was also searching for a submarine contact which reduced her fuel supply such that she had to return to Port Darwin to refuel.

Peary returned to Port Darwin and anchored about 0100, 19 Feb 1942. About 1045, Port Darwin came under attack by a combined Japanese carrier and land base force of over 200 fighters and bombers. Peary was hit by five bombs. The fifth bomb, an incendiary, exploded in the after engine room opening the ship to the sea. Peary sank, stern first with her anti-aircraft guns still firing until the last enemy plane left the area.

Eighty-eight officers and men including the commanding officer were killed in her sinking; 57 survived, 20 of whom were wounded. MM2c Gusti was believed to have gone down with his ship. He was listed as missing in action on 19 Feb 1942. On 11 April 1942, Mrs Hildred Gusti, the wife of Robert L. Gusti, received a telegram from the Navy Department. It read in part; "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your husband, Machinist’s Mate Second Class, Robert L. GUSTI, US Navy is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country."

Robert’s son, Robert Lee Gusti, was born 27 Feb 1942; eight days after his father was killed in action on 19 Feb 1942. On 15 July 1942, Thirteen year old Doris Esther Franklin, daughter of Russell G. and Hildred F (Frost) Franklin died of an infection of the throat after a severe dog bite in Long Beach, Los Angeles, CA. Three months later, Hildred’s “father,” Smith Pine Frost, died in LA county, CA on 15 Oct 1942.

Smith P. Frost of Topeka Kansas and his wife Clara M. (Younghans) Frost adopted Edna Pearl Elliott on June 19, 1907 and changed her name to Hildred Frances Frost, with written consent of the biological parent.

The following year, Mrs Gusti received a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, dated 17 March 1943. It read; "After a full review of all available information, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your husband, Robert L. Gusti, Machinist’s Mate Second Class, U.S.N., is deceased, having been reported 'missing in action' on the 19th day of February 1942, being a member of the crew and serving aboard the U.S.S. PEARY when that vessel was sunk in the port of Darwin, Australia. In accordance with Section 5 of Public Law 490, 77th Congress, as amended, your husband's death is presumed to have occurred on the 20th of February 1943, which is the day following the day of expiration of an absence of twelve months. I extend to you my sincere sympathy in your great loss and hope you may find comfort in the knowledge that your husband gave his life for his Country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy. The Navy shares in your sense of bereavement and will feel the loss of his service."

MM2c Gusti was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, US Army Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp (bronze star in lieu of clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/Fleet Clasp and two bronze stars (one bronze star in lieu of clasp), Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. He is eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively).

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MM2c Gusti’s family also received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of Robert Leo GUSTI, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Asiatic Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. PEARY, 20 February 1943 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States

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Note:

On 15 Aug 1940, F1c Gusti using Receiving Ship at San Diego letter head penned a statement about correcting the spelling of his name. It reads: “At the time I was discharged my discharge showed my name as Robert Lee Gusti, which was in error. Therefore upon reenlistment when my reenlistment papers were written up as Robert Lee Gusti I did not realize it would necessitate additional correspondence and neglected to correct the spelling of my middle name at the time. My correct name is ROBERT LEO GUSTI.

Signed: Robert Leo Gusti, F.1c., U.S. Navy.

The letter wasn’t addressed to anyone so I don’t know the result, if any, of the letter. There were official documents that contained two different spellings of his middle name.

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Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.

--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation).

By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

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Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

Establishing Authority

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

Acceptance by the United States

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

Criteria

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:

• World War II

Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online:

https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

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Primary Sources:

1) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

2) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

3) Various Newspaper articles

4) Deck logs USS Peary retrieved 15 November 2021.

5) Northern Territory Library Roll of Honour: Browse location.

www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 20 November 2021. URL may no longer work.

6) Wikipedia page, USS Peary (DD-226), Retrieved 12 November 2021.

7) Wilde, E. Andrew, Jr. (Ed). U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41-2/19/42: Needham, Mass. The Editor, 2007.

http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/226peary_wilde.pdf

8) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

9) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports

10) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports

11) Divorce, Marriage, Obituary and birth records from the state of Virginia on Ancestry.com.

12) Gusti, Robert Leo. Naval Service Record, National Archives, St Louis, MO

13) Davenport, Robert Lee. Family tree information and photos on Ancestry.com

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Link to USS Peary

memorial in Darwin, Australia with list of names of those lost in the

sinking of the ship. It's a cenotaph.

https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_peary_memorial.htm

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Bio#400 compiled on 21 Nov 2022 and edited on 19 Feb 2023 by Gerry Lawton (G47/GML470)

Military Hall of Honor ID#139852

Find A Grave Memorial Page #245775581

Machinist Mate US Navy Robert Leo Gusti