Lt. Robert Gerald Wilkins 36876649 O-2011757 US Army KIA. He was born on November 21, 1921, in Hornersville, Missouri. He was the son of Beryl M Goodwin Wilkins and Marcus Clement Wilkins. He married Elizabeth Ann Launius Wilkins Gilbert on October 7, 1941. Before the war he worked at Cupids Drive Inn in Detroit Michigan. At the time of his enlistment he was 5 foot 9 inches tall weighed 145 pounds had Brown hair and gray eyes and had a Scar on his left forearm.
He entered A Battery, 861st Field Artillery battalion,63rd Infantry Division on September 17, 1943 and trained with them at Camp Van Dorn Mississippi. He went overseas to Europe in the winter of 1944.
He earned his first Bronze Star Medal for Valor on February 18 1945 in the vicinity of Auersmacher Germany. He was serving on a forward Observer team when the forward Observer could not operate profitably with his radio operator. At this time T/4 Wilkins placed himself between the two to relay the message. In doing this he had to remain in an exposed position which was subject to intense rifle mortar and Artillery fire.
On April 5, 1945 First Lieutenant James E. Robinson, Jr., Forward Observer team was PFC John C. Sullivan, and T/4 Robert G. Wilkins, they were imbedded with Company A, 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division. On the evening of April 5 at 1645 hours “A” Company 253rd Infantry led the attack on a hill directly east of Untergriesheim, they were supported by 3rd Platoon, Company C, 753rd Tank Battalion commanded by Lt. Anthony F. Daskevich. They were also supported by a Forward Observer team from A/861st FA lead by 1st Lieutenant James Robinson, including PFC John C. Sullivan 32956162, and T/4 Robert G. Wilkins 36875649. During the attack Sgt. Wilkins was occupying an exposed position under heavy enemy fire to assist Lt Robinson in bringing artillery fire upon the enemy mortar and machine guns. Sgt. Wilkins remained in the exposed position until he was severely wounded. GO 138 At which time PFC Sullivan took over the duties of Sgt. Wilkins until PFC Sullivan himself was wounded. (GO 131) Orders were given to withdraw to Untergriesheim to reorganize and prepare for a dawn attack. Robert G. Wilkins received a battlefield commission while in the hospital and died of his wounds on July 1,1945.
Because both men on Lt. Robinson, Forward Observer team were wounded on April 5, 1945. Lt. Robinson was assigned T/5 Charles D. Moody, and PVT Lacy Tackett as his Forward Observer team. On April 6, Lt. Robinson, and T/5 Moody were killed and Pvt. Tackett was wounded.
While Robert G. Wilkins, was in the hospital he received a battlefield commission. He died on July 27, 1945 of his wounds that he received on April 5, 1945, in Germany he died at the age of 23. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star Medal with V and 2 Oak Leaf clusters, the Purple Heart Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, The American Theater of operations Medal, the European Theater of Operations Medal ETO with 2 battle stars, the World War Two Victory Medal.
In February 1949 the body of Second Lieut. Robert G. Wilkins, was one of 175 Americans returned to the United States from England aboard the S. S. Atenas. They were originally interred in military cemeteries in Brookwood and Cambrdge. Wilkins was buried in his hometown. After Robert G. Wilkins death Elizabeth Ann Launius Wilkins Gilbert remained John LaVerne Gilbert.
U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970
1930 United States Federal Census
1940 United States Federal Census
the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947