Robert James Melander

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Army

MELANDER, Robert James

Robert James Melander was born on July 19th 1919 to Albert & Edith Alfreda [Cullen] Melander in Duluth, Minnesota. He graduated from Denfeld High School in 1938 and attended the University of Minnesota, Duluth

Mr. Melander was inducted into the U.S. Army on December 17th 1942.

He was an infantryman and a personnel non-commissioned officer with the Service Troop in the 7th Cavalry Regiment, First Cavalry Division in New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Southern Philippines, Luzon, Leyte and Japan. He rose to the rank of a Staff Sergeant (SSGT).

SGT Melander earned the following merits for his service:

  • Good Conduct Medal,
  • Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Service Medal with 4 bronze battle stars and bronze arrowhead, 
  • Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 bronze stars,
  • World War II Victory Medal,  -and-
  • four overseas service bars.

 

He was honorably discharged on October 22nd 1945. After the war he returned home and married Evelyn Jane [Nelson] in 1946 and they started a family.

Mr. Melander died on July 28th 2006 at 86 years of age. He is buried at Oneote Cemetery in Duluth.

Source(s):

Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 203.

Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)

Page 1 WWII Draft Registration Cards - Fold3

Robert James Melander (1919-2006) - Find a Grave Memorial

U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 - Ancestry.com

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