Robert Fulton

Robert Fulton

Service Years:  April 2, 1942-December 1945

U.S. Marines:  Defense Battalion Guantanamo and the Pacific Theatre; Invasion of Saipan

Highest Rank: Captain

Robert was born on July 18, 1920, in Camden, NJ.  Before the war, he worked for the Campbell Soup Company for $0.42 and hour.  He enlisted  when he was 22 years-old with the U.S. Marine Corp.,  under the impression that if he did not choose where he would like to serve, he would ultimately be drafted and serving under a unit that wasn’t of an interest.  He had his basic training at Quantico and later, Jamaica. He would then be stationed at Guantanamo Bay in 1942/1943 for 11 months.

After a short leave, Robert was then sent to San Diego, along with 5 others.  He was assigned to a Destroyer ship that was stocked with troops and ammunition, to be part of the Invasion of Saipan, which would take place on June 15, 1944.

U.S.M.C. First wave on Saipan. Wikimedia Commons
U.S.M.C. First wave on Saipan. Wikimedia Commons

The Invasion was crucial to the war, so that the U.S. could establish an sir base that would strengthen efforts against Japan*  Robert’s time with the Marines would span 5 years.  He would rise to the ranks, as a Sergeant, Corporal, and later Captain and run the U.S.S. Neville.

USS Neville, Wikipedia Creative Commons
USS Neville, Wikipedia Creative Commons

He would later return to Camden and become a salesman in the textile industry throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

 

*Citation:  Battle of Saipan, History Channel.  Retrieved from:  http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-saipan

Col. Alfred Bancroft

Col. Alfred Bancroft

Bancroft Portrait

Col. Bancroft was part of the United States Marine Corps, from 1958-1991.  He attended Marine Corps Recruit Training at Parris Island, South Carolina in 1958 , as well as Infantry Training Regiment in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina the same year. He was a part of the First Marine Division, Second Marine Division, Third Marine Division.

He served 3 tours as a First Class Private with the U.S. Marine Corps:

March 9, 1965-April 1966 (Danang, Vietnam)

July 1966 – August 1967 (Chu Lai, Vietnam)

July 1969-August 1970 (Hoi An, Vietnam)

His list of merits includes:

Legion of Merit

Good Conduct Medal (2 Stars)

Navy Presidential Unit Citation (1 Star)

National Defense Service Medal (1 Star)

Vietnam Service Medal (7 Stars)

Vietnam Campaign Medal (1960 Device)

Combat Action Ribbon

Meritorious Unit Commendation (1 Star)

Republic of Vietnam-Civil Actions Color 1st Class (Palm & Frame)

Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

New Jersey Vietnam Service Medal

Camden County Military Service Medal

Camden County Veterans Special Recognition Award