Robert Xavier McDevitt
PFC Robert X. McDevitt served with Company A, Third Amphibian Tractor Battalion during the Bougainville campaign.
He was reported missing in action following a Japanese dive bombing attack on his vehicle, 11 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 345045
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
16 December 1924
Cincinnati, Ohio
Parents
William & Irene McDevitt
Education
Withrow High School
Occupation & Employer
Multi-Color Type Company
Service Life
Entered Service
27 December 1941
at Cincinnati, OH
Home Of Record
4204 Marburg Avenue, Cincinnati
Next Of Kin
Wife, Jane McNeal McDevitt
(married July 1942)
Specialty
Amphibian tractor crewman
Primary Unit
Company A, Third Amphibian Tractor Battalion
Campaigns Served
Bougainville
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart (11 November 1943)
Additional Service Details
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC McDevitt’s vehicle was operating offshore of Puruata, Bougainville, on 11 November 1943. The tractor was spotted by Japanese dive bombers, which swooped down to attack. McDevitt jumped from the LVT and into the ocean; he was not seen again following the attack.
Company A, Third Amphibian Tractor Battalion suffered five men killed in action and sixteen wounded, three of whom later died. McDevitt was the only individual carried as missing.
Burial Information or Disposition
No trace of PFC McDevitt was ever found, and he was officially declared dead on 12 November 1944.
