RM1 Robert Lee Pettit

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Robert Lee Pettit
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"Robert Pettit" redirects here. For the businessman, see Tinkertoy.
Robert Lee Pettit was born in Clare, Michigan, November 17, 1906.

Contents
1 Navy career
2 Awarded the Navy Cross
3 Namesake
4 See also
5 References
Navy career
He enlisted in the United States Navy September 13, 1927, and attained the rate of Radioman First Class on February 16, 1938.

Awarded the Navy Cross
He died in his attacking PBY aircraft at Jolo Harbor, Philippines, December 27, 1941, as he remained bravely at his post in the burning, gasoline-flooded radio compartment. For his heroism he received the Navy Cross.

Namesake
USS Pettit (DE-253) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down February 6, 1943 by the Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, Texas; launched April 28, 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Robert Lee Pettit; and commissioned September 23, 1943, Lt. Commander William B. Ellis, USCG, in command.

See also

Other articles of the topic World War II : Ronald A. Burdo, Douglas Harold Fox, Arthur Harvey, Trose Emmett Donaldson, Willard Keith, John William Haas, Gust J. Swenning

References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
Robert Lee Pettit

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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56773735/robert-lee-pettit:

★★★★ NAVY CROSS ★★★★

Patrol Squadron 101 (VP-101)
Patrol Squadron 101 (VP-101) was part of Patrol Wing 10 (Pat Wing 10) operating from the USS William B. Preston (AVD-7) off Cavite Naval Base inside Manila Bay. Catalinas were also operating elsewhere including Malalag Bay near Davao on Mindanao.

27 Dec 1941: Six of the squadron's PBY-4 Catalinas, led by Lieutenant Burden R. Hastings, conducted an early morning attack against Jolo, in the central Philippines. Enemy aircraft and AA fire broke up the formation before a bombing run could be made. Ensign Elwin L. Christman and his crew followed through alone and made a drop on an enemy vessel at 1,000 feet. The Catalina, heavily damaged by AA fire, caught fire. Three crewmen bailed out, but the others remained with the aircraft until Christman made a controlled water landing near shore. Three crewmen died; the others were eventually rescued. Aviation Machinist Mate's First Class Andrew K. Waterman was the plane captain and waist gunner on the aircraft. He shot down one enemy aircraft while defending the Catalina during the attack on shipping in the harbor, but in doing so received mortal wounds. For his courageous actions under fire Waterman was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. Radioman First Class Robert L. Pettit also stuck by his post even after the aircraft, flooded with aviation gas from perforated tanks, caught fire. For his devotion to duty Pettit was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. Ensign Christman led the surviving members of his crew to safety on the shore of Jolo Island. Lieutenant Jack B. Dawley and the surviving members of his crew, who had also been shot down immediately after dropping their bombs, joined Christman's group on Jolo Island. The two officers led their crews inland away from the Japanese, eventually reaching U.S. Naval Headquarters at Surabaya, Java, N.E.I.

S/O Elta (Makin) & Walter Roy Pettit
Wife was Esther Q (Yang) Pettit
Service # 3108990
Rank Radioman First Class U.S. Navy
★ Purple Heart
★ Navy Cross
Status Missing In Action
PETTIT, Robert L, RM1, 3108990, USN, from Michigan, USS Childs (AVD-14), location Philippine Islands, missing, date of loss December 27, 1941 (pm)

Source material from multiple public domain websites.

★ Navy Cross Citation ★
Robert Lee Pettit
DATE OF BIRTH: November 17, 1906
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Claire, Michigan
HOME OF RECORD:
Clare, Michigan
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 1

Navy Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Navy
Battalion: Patrol Squadron 101 (VP-101)
Division: Patrol Wing 10
GENERAL ORDERS:
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942)

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Radioman First Class Robert Lee Pettit (NSN: 3108990), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as First Radioman of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED ONE (VP-101), Patrol Wing TEN (PatWing-10), in action against enemy Japanese naval forces located near Jolo, in the Philippine Islands, on the morning of 27 December 1941. When his PBY-4 Catalina was attacked during an assault on enemy shipping, and despite the fact that his aircraft was flooded with aviation gasoline from perforated tanks which then caught fire, Radioman Pettit remained at his post until he was mortally wounded. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Namesake:
USS Pettit (DE-253) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She served in the Atlantic Ocean the Pacific Ocean and provided destroyer escort protection against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys. She was named in honor of Robert Lee Pettit who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. She was laid down 6 February 1943 by the Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, Texas; launched 28 April 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Robert Lee Pettit; and commissioned 23 September 1943.

Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Michigan.