Robert Edward Bigelow

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Awarded for military service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.
 **It is likely but unconfirmed that PFC Bigelow was posthumously awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
No  Grave Marker Photo
No  National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No  Official Regiment or Division After Action Report
No  Photo of veteran
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
Yes WWII Hospital Admission Records

American Battle Monuments Commission Data
Robert Edward Bigelow
Service # 39381605
Unit 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Rank Private First Class U.S. Army
Entered Service From: Washington
Date of Death: February 20,1945
Buried
 Plot: D, Row: 14, Grave: 180
 Manila American Cemetery, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart


WWII Draft Card Data
Robert Edward Bigelow
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 21
Birth Date: June 9, 1920  -  Birth Place: Puyallup, Washington
Residence Place: Puyallup, Pierce County, Washington
Registration Date: July 2, 1941  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: NYA Suppression Crew
Weight: 145, Height: 5' 9"
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Brown   -  Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: Vina Bigelow
Members of Household: Robert Edward Bigelow, Self
Next of Kin, Mother

WWII Hospital Admission Records
Name: Robert E. Bigelow
Rank: Enlisted Man
Admission Age: 25
Birth Date: abt 1920
Admission Date: February 1945
Discharge Date: February 1945
Discharge Place: Portable Surgical, Evacuation, or T/O Convalescent Hospital
Military Branch: Medical Dept., General or Unspecified (incl all enlisted men)
Diagnosis: Fracture, compound, other with no nerve or artery involvement
  First Location: (location not disclosed)
  Causative Agent: Artillery Shell, Fragments
Type of Injury 1: Battle casualty
Type of Injury 2: All battle casualties, and all battle injuries not intentionally inflicted by self or another person
Medical Treatment: Penicillin therapy (treatment with penicillin); Drainage, other
Service Number: 39381605
Notes: None

Note 1: The death location, "In Luzon, Philippine Islands" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of PFC Bigelow, this location was estimated on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.

B. At the time PFC Bigelow was Killed In Action the 1st Cavalry Division was conducting combat operations on Luzon, Philippine Islands during February 1945.

C. Hospital Admission Records indicate that PFC Bigelow died on February 20,1945 as a result of combat wounds.

D. Further information on the 5th Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Cavalry Division can be found at the Wikipedia website 1st Cavalry Division.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - None found

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