Notes for Robert Bruce BURNS

Descendants of
Captain Robert Brown
1809 – 1894

Notes for Robert Bruce BURNS

Source 2-- FWB III

Bruce was an active, outgoing, inquisitive and curious person. He first showed this at about 2 years old when he climbed the tennis court referee stand and fell off. A little later he drank gasoline that was dripping from a storage can.

He was a "Burns". He was short, looked like the Burns relatives that we knew, and his forehead was receding by the time he was 18. When fully grown he was 5' 61/2 "Ò tall and weighed 124 pounds. He was the kind of person who just naturally took a leadership role in whatever he did----and without anyone involved objecting.

He and I did most things together from the time he was born until he left the islands to go the High School at St. Martins at Lacey, Washington (just north of Olympia). So a lot of the things he did growing up in Hawaii are documented under my (FWB III) notes.

One of the things we often did together was fight (mainly with each other). He was just a month under two years younger than me. He learned when he was very young that he could start a fight, get beat up a little but come out ahead because I always got in trouble for picking on my little brother. For many years, during the time from June 20th to July 16th (when he was "only a year younger" than me) he would attack me almost every day. He reasoned that if he was ever going to beat me up it had to be then.

Bruce and I were on the neighborhood football teams from before we moved to Waikiki until the start of the war. The teams were like the "Waikiki Haole", "Manoa Haole", "Waikiki Portagee", "Manoa Jap", "Kaimuki Portagee", etc. (These politically incorrect names are what were used). We would be challenged by one of the other teams (or challenge them) and arrange to play on as good a field as we could find. We usually did a home and home deal. Bruce was always the defacto captain and the one who called the plays on our team. This was even though he was usually one of the youngest and smallest players. He played half back. In the games, we could usually give the other teams a run for their money except the Japanese. They were smaller, but faster and more mature (as in more coordinated). The games usually ended in a fight which we depended on someone stopping before anyone got hurt. The exception was that we never fought with the Japanese. They told us before the game that they had all taken jujitsu from the time they were little kids but that they wouldnÕt use it in an after the game fight, but that they didn't want to fight. We never tested them.

If there was a difficult or risky thing to do in games, on the boat or wherever, he would just go ahead and do it.

When Bruce was going to St. Martin's Prep and I to the University of Washington (living at aunt Temare's) he would spend all the holidays and some weekends with us. Temare already had 4 college/high school boys living with her. They were her sons Richard and Pat, Roy Bordner and me. All of us except Richard stayed in the same big room. So when Bruce came, we had 4 in the room. At that time the communist movement was a big thing. They had a full blown campaign to convert people to their way of thinking. They would often actually stand on a box or something and give impassioned sidewalk speeches (we were both fighting the Germans at the time). So on the way to or from whatever activity we were engaged in, Bruce would find high ground somewhere and imitate them--but promised even more than they would. The key words were "come the revolution we will---". Then all the good things that would they would do would follow. He would not only promise a chicken in every pot, but steak every night, no punishment for playing hooky, etc.

At St. Martin's he was student body president, captain of the football team, and on the Annual Staff.

This is a summary of his military record. The data in this paragraph is taken from his service record that I obtained from the Navy. He enlisted in the navy on February 23, 1943 while still in High School. He graduated from High School on May 28th 1943, reported for duty on June 19, and was 18 on June 20th. Of course he choose one of the most dangerous branches of the navy, flying as an Aviation Radioman on a torpedo plane. He went to boot camp at Farragut, Idaho; then to the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Memphis, Tennessee; then Class ÒBÓ Airborne Radar Operation School, NAGS, Hollywood, Florida, and then to VTB-2 OTU, U.S. Naval Station, Miami, Florida and was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 23. He then joined the squadron at Alameda, California on June 26, 1944 and was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations. What follows is transcribed from his "Aviators Flight Log Book" which he started at Alameda.

Torpedo Squadron 23
Log kept by Robert Bruce Burns-Aircrewman (Service No. 386 73 19)

I entered the Squadron at Alameda on June 26, 1944.

We trained at Watsonville, California approximately three months. During that time, we spent ten days night flying at Vernalis, California.

We left Watsonville for Ream Field on the 9th of October. From there, we went to Sulton Sea for rocket training.

On the 26th of October, we boarded the U.S.S. Altamaha for Pearl Harbor. We arrived on the 1st and left for Maui on the 2nd.

We flew back to Pearl on the 8th of Dec, and boarded the U.S.S. Copahee. We departed for the Admiralty Isl. on the 10th and arrived at our destination on the 21st. We then went to Ponam Isl. Which is a small coral isl in the Admiraltys. We left Panam on the 3rd of February, and departed for Ulithi.

We boarded our ship the U.S.S. Langley on the 7th.

We put out to sea with Task Force 58 on the 10th. We were in Task Group 58.4.

On the 16th of February, we were 150 miles S.E. of Tokyo Bay. The weather was bad, but operations were carried out as scheduled.

On the 17th, we launched 9VT & 9VF (the V may be U) for Tokyo Bay area. They bombed the Tachikama Engine plant: 8VT and 8VF returned. We still have hope for the VT plane lost. The VF plane was piloted by Lt. Com White, the Air Group commander. He was in flames when last seen.

By the 18th (of February) we had moved south, and were opposite Chi Chi Jima. We launched 8VT and 8VF at 1100. We arrived over our target and dropped 4, 500 pound bombs on Susaki Airfield. The ack ack was moderate. This was my first raid.
(ÒTo dateÓ is inserted here).

We are now headed for Iwo Jima to support invasion.

The Certificate of Death in his military record shows that he was killed on February 23, 1945. The ÒSummary of facts relative to the death states Ò Ò1. Within command. 2. Work. 3. Negligence not apparent. 4. Was aboard TBM-3 airplane, Buno #23436, which crashed into the sea and subsequently sank after being catapulted from the USS LANGLEY 23 February 1945. Tis certificate prepared with information furnished by BuPers in a determination of death dated 2 May 1945Ó.

Next the following telegram was received by Louise Rothwell:

Commandant
Mavy No. 128 (One Two Eight)
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

ORIG: BUPERS
ACTN: COM 14 RESTRICTED

PLEASE PASS TO MARY L. ROTHWELL 2702 HILLSIDE AVENUE HONOLULU TH
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT DEEPLY REGRETS TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR NEPHEW ROBERT BRUCE BURNS AVIATION RADIOMAN THIRD CLASS USNR JS (IS?) MISSING FOLLOWING PLANE CRASH ON 23 FEBRUARY 1945 WHILE IN THE
SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY X THE DEPARTMENT APPRECIATES YOUR GREAT
ANXIETY BUT DETAILS NOT NOW AVAILABLE AND DELAY IN RECEIPT THEREOF
MUST NECESSARILY BE EXPECTED X VICE ADMIRAL RANDALL JACOVS CHIEF OF NAVAL PERSONNELÓ

SGD/ GILBERT APPELHOF
CHAPLAIN G. APPELHOF USNR
Certified true copy
A series of letters followed.

UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
AIR FORCE
TORPEDO SQUADRON 23
C/O FLEET POST OFFICE
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
2 March 1945
Mrs. G. N. Rothwell
2045 Mott-Smith Drive
Honolulu, T.H.

Dear Mrs. Rothwell:

I wish to express my deepest sympathy to you regarding the missing of your ward, Robert Bruce Burns, in a plane crash. I am sure all the officers and men of the squadron feel the same as I.

Bruce was one of he most talented of the younger aircrewmen and his future in the Navy was bright. His pilot, who is also missing was an excellent aviator. I am indeed sorry that reasons of security forbid me from giving you further information at this time.

I am having Bruce's personal effects forwarded to you and in the meantime, if there is anything I can do to assist you in any way, do not hesitate to communicate with me.

Very sincerely your,
D. A. Pattie
Lieut., USNR,
Commanding Officer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NAVY DEPARTMENT
BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL
Washington 25, D.C.

Pers-53230 nlh
386 73 19

3 April 1945

Mrs. Mary L. Rothwell
2762 hillside Avenue
Honolulu, T.H.

Dear Mrs. Rothwell:

It is with regret that this Bureau confirms the report that your nephew, Robert Bruce Burns, Aviation Radioman third class, U.S. Naval Reserve, is missing in action. Detailed information in connection with his disappearance has not been received in this Bureau.

Sincere sympathy is extended to you in your anxiety. Should any information be received which can be released, it will be promptly forwarded to you.

You are urged to read the enclosed booklet carefully as it explains matters of importance concerning naval personnel in the missing status.

By direction of Chief of Naval Personnel

Sincerely yours,
(signed) W.J. McNicol, Jr.
Q.J. McNicol, JR.
Lieutenant, U.S.N.R.
Assistant Officer in Charge
Casualty Notification and
Processing Section

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Office of
The Dean of Men
ST. MARTINÕS COLLEGE
Lacey, Washington

April 14, 1945

Mr. Guy N. Rothwell
409-10 Damon Building
Honolulu 1, T.H.

Dear Mr. Rothwell

Father George Monda, who is now the Assistant Pastor at our Church of the Assumption in Seattle, sent your letter with the sad news about Bruce to me.

It is a profound shock to me, and to members of the faculty and student body at St. Martin's. As you may know, he was very popular here--student body president, and outstanding athlete, and well liked in every way. I was Bruce's prefect and teacher for the two years he was here --and during all my years at St. Martin's have had close contact with the boys. So each bit of sad news hits me directly.

We say special prayers here at St. Martin's for all the boys missing in action--and Bruce will have a very special part in them. We trust that there will soon be good news about him. I would appreciate it if you would keep me informed about any further development.

With deepest sympathy from all at St. Martin's, I am

Very sincerely yours,
(signed) Meinrad J. Gaul, O.S.B.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS (AIR)
WASHINGTON
April 18, 1945

My dear Mrs. Rothwell:

It was with deep regret I learned the distressing news that your nephew, Aviation Radioman Robert Burns, has been reported as missing in action. I fully realize your anxiety and want you to know that you have my heartfelt sympathy.

It is my earnest hope that he knowledge you have of your nephewÕs loyalty to our country and his patriotic participation in the essential work of the aviation branch of its defense forces will sustain you during this trying time, and give you strength and fortitude. His unfaltering courage and devotion to duty will serve as an inspiration to all of us.

I wish to extend to you the deepest sympathy of the officers and men of naval aviation.

Sincerely yours,
Aubrety W. Fitch
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy

Mrs. Mary L. Rothwell
2762 Hillside Avenue
Honolulu, T. H.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
AIR FORCE
TORPEDO SQUADRON 23
C/O FLEET POST OFFICE
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
24 July 1945

Mrs. Mary L. Rothwell
2045 Mott-Smith Drive
Honolulu, T.H.

Dear Mrs. Rothwell:

Recently this squadron was reformed and while checking through the files the personal flight log of Robert B. Burns was found. I an having it mailed to you under separate cover as I thought you might like to have it.

Sincerely yours,
A. H. Kiplinger, Lt (jg) USNR
Acting Commanding Officer.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

13 June 1945

Mrs. Mary Louise Rothwell
2762 Hillside Avenue
Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii

My dear Mrs. Rothwell:

It was with regret that I learned that your nephew Robert Bruce Burns, aviation Radioman Third class, United States Naval Reserve, Previously reported missing, is now known to have lost his life on 23 February 1945.

There is little I can say to lessen your grief, but I want you to know that the Navy shares in your sense of bereavement.

Sincerely yours,
James Forrestal

More About Robert Bruce Burns:
Christening: Called Bruce because Frank was already called Bobbie to distinquish him from his father.
Education: High School-Saint Martin's@Lacey, Washington State (near Olympia)
Occupation: Aviation Radioman on Navy torpedo plane
Religion: Catholic

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