WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - Pvt. Robert Amory Dunseth

Private Robert Amory Dunseth

 

Sylvester Amory and Minnie Marguerites (Yates) Dunseth welcomed their son, Robert, into the world in Mitchell, Davison County, South Dakota, on July 26, 1926. Robert was their youngest child, following Sylvia Lorena (1916), Roy Oliver (1917), Kenneth C. (1918), Russell Earl (1921) and Lucille Doris (1922). The family were in South Dakota at least until 1935, then they appeared in Indiana, and by the 1940 census, they had landed in Washington Township, Defiance County, Ohio.

The Bryan Democrat of June 26, 1944, announced his marriage: 

'FRIEMARK - DUNSETH

Miss Thelma Friemark, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Harry Friemark of Toledo, and Robert A. Dunseth of Ney, were married on Saturday, June 17. A reception was held for the newly married couple at eight o'clock in the Rodotto Hall at Erie, Michigan followed by a dance.

Married only a few months, Robert enlisted or was drafted into the Army on July 25, 1944, and became a member of Company B, 182nd Regiment, American Division.  He described himself as 6'2" and 182 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Only 18, he was sent to the Philippines where he was killed in action on April 29, 1945, in Negros Occidental Province, Western Visayas, Philippines. The U.S. forces had teamed up with the Filipino guerrillas against the Japanese who had over 30,000 troops on the island. General McArthur's goal was to get control of several port cities, Cebu City being one of them. This was very mountainous territory, and the Japanese forces had set booby traps, and used night raids against the Allies. This was the situation Robert was in when he was killed.

His body was finally returned home in 1949. The Crescent-News reported on April 25, 1949, that he had arrived home and a funeral would be held.

In another article, his pall bearers were named as Leonard and Robert Jesse, Robert and Ned Mack, Howard Zipfel and Richard Smith

The Bryan Democrat honored the Dunseth family on June 25, 1945, with a large article on the front page, sharing their sacrifices in the war. Four sons and two sons-in-law were all serving:

Staff Sgt Roy O. Dunseth, 28, in the Philippines'

Corporal Kenneth C. Dunseth, 27, with the Air Corp in the Philippines

Corporal Russell E. Dunseth, 24, in China with the Air Corps

Private Robert A. Dunseth, 18, an infantryman who was killed in action in Cebu, Philippines, April                 18, 1945

Two sons-in-law:

Sgt. 1st Class Torrance T. Barrow, 35, in England and

Corporal Russell C. Lilly, 28, in France.

Robert's son, Robert Lee Dunseth, was one month old when his father met his fate in battle.

Robert's three brothers all survived the war.

A sidenote:

Robert played basketball at Ney High School and in a championship game with Farmer High School, these were the teams. 

Crescent-News, March 3, 1941

Robert Carpenter, Researcher