Robert James Windish was a track star at Central High School in St. Louis in the 1930s.
He lettered in the sport from 1935-1937, competing in the 75-yard low hurdles, the high and broad jumps, the shot put and on a relay team.
When he graduated in 1938 the yearbook described him thusly: "We have a record-breaker here -- This really handsome boy. Who in the world of contest sports, Brought Central pride and joy."
By the time of the 1940 Census, he was a fitting clerk at an electric company in St. Louis, as was his older brother, John.
He enlisted in the Marines on Jan. 7, 1941, and was a Marine gunnery private on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.
Mr. Windish was born June 13, 1920, in Missouri to Hungarian immigrants -- Anna Buechler Windish, a homemaker, and John Windish, a steel worker.
His brothers also served in the military -- John, in the Army in World War II and Edward in the Army in the Korean War. Both survived.
Sources: The St. Louis (Missouri) Star and Times; the St. Louis Globe-Democrat; the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; 1938 Central High yearbook; WWI draft registration card; Census; Marine muster roll; Pannonia ship passenger list. Marine photo. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.
Contributor: USS Arizona Mall Memorial at University of Arizona (50022871)
He lettered in the sport from 1935-1937, competing in the 75-yard low hurdles, the high and broad jumps, the shot put and on a relay team.
When he graduated in 1938 the yearbook described him thusly: "We have a record-breaker here -- This really handsome boy. Who in the world of contest sports, Brought Central pride and joy."
By the time of the 1940 Census, he was a fitting clerk at an electric company in St. Louis, as was his older brother, John.
He enlisted in the Marines on Jan. 7, 1941, and was a Marine gunnery private on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.
Mr. Windish was born June 13, 1920, in Missouri to Hungarian immigrants -- Anna Buechler Windish, a homemaker, and John Windish, a steel worker.
His brothers also served in the military -- John, in the Army in World War II and Edward in the Army in the Korean War. Both survived.
Sources: The St. Louis (Missouri) Star and Times; the St. Louis Globe-Democrat; the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; 1938 Central High yearbook; WWI draft registration card; Census; Marine muster roll; Pannonia ship passenger list. Marine photo. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.
Contributor: USS Arizona Mall Memorial at University of Arizona (50022871)
Robert James Windish was a track star at Central High School in St. Louis in the 1930s.
He lettered in the sport from 1935-1937, competing in the 75-yard low hurdles, the high and broad jumps, the shot put and on a relay team.
When he graduated in 1938 the yearbook described him thusly: "We have a record-breaker here -- This really handsome boy. Who in the world of contest sports, Brought Central pride and joy."
By the time of the 1940 Census, he was a fitting clerk at an electric company in St. Louis, as was his older brother, John.
He enlisted in the Marines on Jan. 7, 1941, and was a Marine gunnery private on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.
Mr. Windish was born June 13, 1920, in Missouri to Hungarian immigrants -- Anna Buechler Windish, a homemaker, and John Windish, a steel worker.
His brothers also served in the military -- John, in the Army in World War II and Edward in the Army in the Korean War. Both survived.
Sources: The St. Louis (Missouri) Star and Times; the St. Louis Globe-Democrat; the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; 1938 Central High yearbook; WWI draft registration card; Census; Marine muster roll; Pannonia ship passenger list. Marine photo. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.
Contributor: USS Arizona Mall Memorial at University of Arizona (50022871)
He lettered in the sport from 1935-1937, competing in the 75-yard low hurdles, the high and broad jumps, the shot put and on a relay team.
When he graduated in 1938 the yearbook described him thusly: "We have a record-breaker here -- This really handsome boy. Who in the world of contest sports, Brought Central pride and joy."
By the time of the 1940 Census, he was a fitting clerk at an electric company in St. Louis, as was his older brother, John.
He enlisted in the Marines on Jan. 7, 1941, and was a Marine gunnery private on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.
Mr. Windish was born June 13, 1920, in Missouri to Hungarian immigrants -- Anna Buechler Windish, a homemaker, and John Windish, a steel worker.
His brothers also served in the military -- John, in the Army in World War II and Edward in the Army in the Korean War. Both survived.
Sources: The St. Louis (Missouri) Star and Times; the St. Louis Globe-Democrat; the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; 1938 Central High yearbook; WWI draft registration card; Census; Marine muster roll; Pannonia ship passenger list. Marine photo. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.
Contributor: USS Arizona Mall Memorial at University of Arizona (50022871)
Inscription
PRIVATE - USMC - MISSOURI
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Missouri.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
