Robert Lee Rodibaugh
PFC Robert L. Rodibaugh served with Baker Company, First Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment.
He was reported missing in action at Koiari, Bougainville, on 29 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 483033
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered.
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 17, 1924
at Peru, IN
Parents
Benjamin Isaac Rodibaugh (d. 1941)
Hazel Beatrice (Weaver) Rodibaugh (d. 1936)
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Roofer
Michael Cross (private business)
Service Life
Entered Service
October 13, 1942
at Detroit, MI
Home Of Record
Grandville, MI
Next Of Kin
Brother, Mr. Ralph Rodibaugh
Military Specialty
Parachutist
Primary Unit
B/1st Paramarines
Campaigns Served
Bougainville
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
At 0300 on 29 November 1943, PFC Robert Rodibaugh and his comrades in the First Parachute Battalion boarded landing craft from a Bougainville beach and set off for what they hoped would be a surprise amphibious assault on the Japanese rear.
The Marines planned to storm ashore near Koiari and establish a temporary base, from which they could conduct raids against Japanese communications, supplies, and artillery positions. Unfortunately, they landed in the middle of a well-guarded supply depot and the Japanese responded with overwhelming force. The Marines made a little headway but were outnumbered and outgunned from the outset. Casualties quickly began to mount.
Fighting raged for the rest of the day; by afternoon, the Marines realized that they were not going to be able to advance, and the Japanese were busily bringing up reinforcements. The Americans were taken off by landing boats under cover of darkness, and returned to their original bivouac. Fifteen men were killed, and another seven listed as missing – turning the Koiari Raid into a costly failure.
Burial Information or Disposition
PFC Rodibaugh was one of those reported as missing in action; he was last seen alive at 1830 on 29 November 1943, about an hour before the Paramarines were evacuated from the beach. Nothing further was learned of his fate, and he was ultimately declared dead on 30 November 1944
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of brother, Mr. Ralph Rodibaugh.
The Rodibaughs lived on a rural route outside of Grandville proper.
Location Of Loss
Rodibaugh was last seen in the vicinity of Koiari, Bougainville.
