Robert Woodson Marshall
First Lieutenant Robert W. Marshall was a Marine pilot with VMF-321.
He was shot down on a combat mission to Rabaul on 20 January 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-20355
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
June 16, 1921
at Amite, LA
Parents
Earl Woodson Marshall
Sarah Hazel (Evans) Marshall
Education
Amite High School
Louisiana State University
Occupation & Employer
Student
Service Life
Entered Service
March 2, 1943 (officer)
Home Of Record
Amite, LA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Hazel Marshall
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMF-321
Campaigns Served
Northern Solomons
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Took off from Torokina at 1125 on 20 January 1944 to provide fighter escort for a bomber strike on Rabaul. Lieutenant Marshall (F4U-1 55835) was flying top cover with a four-plane division led by 1Lt. Robert B. See when attacked by approximately 40 Japanese fighters. Marshall survived the dogfight but became separated from his squadron. He was heading home in company with 1Lt. Cleveland I. Cobb of VMF-211 when a surprisingly accurate light AA battery took them under fire.
"As they passed over Makurapou plantation they drew 20mm fire. Lt Cobb's plane was hit as well as Lt. Marshall's. Lt Cobb could see oil spraying all over the inside of Marshall's canopy. Lt. Marshall made a water landing approximately 18 m(iles) down St. George Channel, from Cape Gazelle. Lt. Cobb circled as Marshall's plane hit the water and split in two. He did not observe the pilot to get out of the plane."
Marshall and two of his squadronmates, Captain Marion R. McCown, Jr., and 1Lt. Roger H. Brindos were posted as missing after the mission. All three were eventually declared dead: Marshall on 21 January 1945, McCown and Brindos on 16 January 1946. Only after the war did more information emerge about their fates.
Roger Brindos bailed out of his Corsair and was captured by the Japanese. He was held prisoner at Rabaul until March 1944, at which time he was executed in the Tunnel Hill Massacre. In the late 1940s, “Unknown X-172” from Finschaffen was identified as Roger Brindos; he is buried in the Manila American Cemetery.
Marion McCown’s wreck site was first discovered in 1983; the pilot’s remains were eventually recovered and officially accounted for in December 2008.
Robert Marshall also managed to escape from his wrecked Corsair and was captured by the Japanese. He suffered severe injuries and died of “massive bleeding” shortly after his capture. It is not known what became of his remains.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Hazel Marshall.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of Makurapau Plantation. Marshall’s plane was hit near this point and he made a water landing nearby.
