Thatcher, Robert 1925-1944

THATCHER

Posted By: Volunteer Trascriber
Date: 1/11/2011 at 16:28:04

Colfax Boy Killed in Action in South Pacific
Robert Thatcher, 19, one of Colfax’s boys who was serving his country as a US Marine in the Islands of the South Pacific, made the supreme sacrifice and according to a telegram received by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Don Thatcher Tuesday, was “killed in action” and plans for temporary burial had been made. The name of the place was requested to be withheld at this time because of military precaution and the date of his death was not given. The last letter the Thatchers received from Bob was dated July 3 and he said “he hoped the folks at home were not going to have the same kind of Fourth of July he was gong to have"”so they knew after receiving that letter he was in the midst of combat against the Japanese foe and were more or less preparing themselves for the worst. Robert was born at Ft. Wayne, IN., February 6, 1925, and moved with his parents to Colfax six years ago. He completed his high school education in the Colfax schools the spring of 1942. In the all of that year he entered Drake University. January 1943 he enlisted in the Marines but was not called until July 1943, because he was a student and he was thus permitted to complete a full year of college. He received his basic training at San Diego and Oceanside, CA., and then was sent into immediate action in the South Pacific. The only son of Mrs. And Mrs. Don Thatcher, he is survived by his parents, three sisters, Patty, Jane and Marilyn Thatcher and a number of other relatives and friends. Robert was a handsome, stalwart young man whose principles were of the best and it is for such as the community bows their heads in grief and extends full sympathy to the parents who have given their only son that that the “home folks” might have peace and security. Don Thatcher, who is employed at the Maytag factory in Newton, was granted time off and he and his wife left Wednesday evening for Kokomo, IN., to join their daughters who have been spending the summer with their grandmother. The girls will then return home with them.
This makes the seventh casualty for Colfax in the present war with others making the supreme sacrifice being Robert Bridie, Atty. John Green, Fred Boarwright Jr., Ivan Van Dusseldorp, Jim Callahan and William Hendee. ~ Colfax Tribune, August 3, 1944