ROBERT ALLEN THURSTON, nee Le Rock, was born on 12 Aug 1922 in Newfane, Niagara, NY. He was the biological son of Leo Le Rock and Florence Esther (Marshall) Le Rock who married in 1920 (no record has been found). Their marriage was annulled in court on 03 Jan 1922 in Lockport, Niagara, NY. According to navy records, Leo Le Rock died before Robert was born. Three months after the annulment, Florence married Leo Floyd Thurston on 6 April 1922 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. Robert was born four months subsequent. According to US Navy documents found in Robert A. Thurston’s service record, Robert’s birth recorded in Niagara county, named his father, Leo F. Thurston. Bob, as he was known to family and friends and who also had a tattoo with that name on his arm, was the eldest of his eight biological half-siblings. They were: Leon Nelson, Douglas Marshall, Morton Eugene, Joan E., Howard Flory, Harold S., Florence Winifred, and Nancy M Thurston.

Bob attended North Tonawanda High School in North Tonawanda, NY between 1935 and 1937 finishing the tenth grade. He helped the family finances by selling newspapers for the Buffalo Evening News as a street boy. He also worked at the Fishman & Company for a year as a stock-boy. According to his father, Bob’s hobby was building model airplanes, and he talked often about being a trapper. He had a great spirit of adventure.

On 20 Aug 1938, Bob, not realizing the consequences, misappropriated a bicycle from in front of the Rialto Theatre in Lockport, NY and rode it to Buffalo. At the time of his arrest, he was advised by the Lockport Police Department to use his own name, Robert Allen Le Rock. He was charged with petit larceny and sentenced to probation on 22 Aug 1938 by Police Judge Sellick of the Lockport police court.

On 25 Oct 1938, Bob enlisted in the NY National Guard Co. B, 174th infantry. He gave as his birthdate 05 Oct 1920. He listed his NOK as Florence Thurston, his mother. He was honorably discharged for the convenience of the Govt on 19 Sep 39.

In the late summer of 1939, Bob decided to apply to the US Navy for enlistment using the name of Robert Allen Thurston. On 23 Aug 1940, he submitted an application at the Navy Recruiting Station (NRS), Buffalo, NY. Among the list of questions on the application, three stand-out. He was asked: “Is your father living? Ans: No. “Do you have a step-father?” His answer was yes.” Have you ever been arrested or in the custody of police? His answer was no. When the recruiters did a police background check they found that Bob was on probation, and that he was also named Robert Allen Le Rock. However, the recruiters found that Bob was registered in school records and on rolls of the 174th Infantry, NY State National Guard, and Honorable Discharge from said organization, as Robert Allen Thurston. In accordance with N.Y. State statues, the name of Robert Allen Thurston was legal according to the recruiter’s research.

A letter dated 20 Sep 1940 written by the NRS Buffalo, NY Officer in Charge to the Navy’s Chief of the Bureau of Navigation (BUNAV) who at this time was Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz, said inter alia; “In view of his reputation, the excellent impression he presents, and the recommendation as to his character, it is recommended that authority be granted to enlist him in the U.S. Navy in spite of this offense.” In a letter from Rear Admiral Nimitz dated 18 Oct 1940, “he allowed Thurston to enlist notwithstanding his police record.” On 23 Oct 1940, Bob Thurston enlisted (NSN:234-28-80) with 31 other recruits at NRS Buffalo with his mother’s consent to serve 6 years at the beginning monthly pay of $21.00 at the rate of Apprentice Seaman (A.S.). His General Classification Test (GCT) score was 86, and PC of 94.5%. The large group of navy recruits boarded a train bound for the Naval Training Station (NTS), Newport, Rhode Island where they arrived on 24 Oct 1940 to begin 6 weeks of recruit training.

AS Thurston graduated from recruit training in early Dec whereupon he was granted 10 days of leave to visit family and friends before reporting to his first duty station. Nearing the end of his leave, his father remarked, “The day he left in his navy uniform he asked his mother not to kiss him goodbye, nor even to go to the door with him. He left the house, strode down the street, a fine-looking lad of 6 feet, and he never looked back. He didn’t want to see his mother cry.” She would never see her son again.

Thurston left Newport on 12 Dec 1940 and reported to his first duty station onboard the battleship, USS California (BB-44) on 17 Dec 1940. Shortly after he reported to California, He applied on 14 Jan 1941 for National Service Life Insurance (amount unknown). AS Thurston advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c) on 23 Feb 1941 on California which was in the Puget Sound Navy Yard (PSYN). The next day, S2c Thurston detached from California and reported to the Ammunition Ship, USS Nitro (AE-2) at PSNY as a passenger for further transfer to Commander, Patrol Wing 10 in Manila for assignment. Nitro arrived in the Philippines on 29 Mar 1941 where Thurston disembarked and reported to his next duty assignment on board the seaplane tender, USS Langley (AV-3).

Langley steamed from Fremantle, Australia on 22 Feb in a convoy named MS-5 that left five days later to deliver 32 P-40 aircraft and 33 Army Air Corps (AAC) pilots and 12 aircrew to Tjilatjap harbor on the southern coast of Java, Dutch East Indies. The morning of 27 Feb 1942 dawned clear with light seas. Langley was nearing Tjilatjap some 100 miles distant, and recently joined by her antisubmarine screen comprised of destroyers Whipple (DD-217) and Edsall (DD-219). However, about 0900, a Japanese reconnaissance aircraft spotted the three vessels and a short time later relayed the contact information to his base. At 1150, nine "Betty" twin-engine enemy bombers were sighted approaching Langley’s little force.

The first and second Japanese strikes were unsuccessful, however, during the third attack Langley took five hits. Her engine room quickly flooded; steering was impaired, and the ship took a 10° list to port. Langley went dead in the water. At 1332, the order to abandon ship was passed. To prevent Langley's capture the escorting destroyers fired nine 4-inch shells and two torpedoes into the Langley to insure her sinking. She went down (although neither of the destroyers actually saw her sink) about 75 miles south of Tjilatjap with a loss of 16. The survivors including the 33 AAC pilots and 12 aircrew were rescued by the destroyers Whipple and Edsall. Early the following morning, the Langley survivors transferred to the fleet oiler, USS Pecos (AO-6), and all AAC personnel transferred to Edsall. Pecos was attacked and sunk on 01 Mar 1942 while steaming to Australia, with the loss of many lives. Later the same day, Edsall, was also attacked and sunk with the loss of her crew and all the Army pilots. Several decades later historians learned that an unknown number of Edsall’s crew were rescued by the Japanese and later executed.

S1c Robert Allen Thurston was reported missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was declared presumed dead on 15 Dec 1945.

On 14 Mar 42, a telegram was received by Mrs Florence Thurston advising her that her son was missing in action. The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that you son Robert Allen Thurston, Seaman Second Class, USN is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in service of his country.

Notified on 17 Dec 1945 by ltr from the Chief of Naval Personnel, Mrs Florence Esther Thurston was advised that her son was declared presumed dead on 15 Dec 1945. Signed by James Forrestal, SECNAV.

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive), Philippine Defense Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, US Army Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal ("Fleet" clasp), and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars.

His family also received the following commemoration from President Truman in honor of Seaman First Class Thurston. It reads:

In grateful memory of Robert Allen THURSTON, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Java Sea Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. LANGLEY, 15 December 1945 (Presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed) Harry S. Truman, President of the United States

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Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.

--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation).

By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

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Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

Establishing Authority

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

Acceptance by the United States

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

Criteria

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:

• World War II

Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online:

https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

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Primary Sources:

1) Thurston, Robert Allen, Seaman First Class, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. July 2024.

2) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

3) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

4) Winslow, W.G., The Fleet The Gods Forgot: The U.S. Asiatic Fleet In World War II, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland. 1982.

5) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

6) Messimer, Dwight R. Pawn of War; The Loss of the USS Langley and the USS Pecos. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, 1983.

7) Wikipedia page, USS Langley. Retrieved online 19 Feb 2024.

8) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports

9) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports

10) Naval History and Heritage Command, USS Langley AV-1, Dictionary of American Fighting Ships (DANFS), Retrieved online 10 Apr 2024.

11) Several newspaper articles.

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Bio #457 compiled on 25 July 2024 by Gerry Lawton

Find a Grave Memorial ID: 56753808

Military Hall of Honor web site Honor ID#166267