SGT Robert Bleecker

SGT Robert Bleecker, b 21 Jan 1918 - d. 16 Jun 1944. Son of Albert and Bessie (Bakin) Bleecker, he was born in Akron, Ohio. His father was a native of what is now Latvia, his mother of Louisiana and the family had moved to New Jersey before he enlisted. This photo is his high school graduation photo. He went on to attend Rutgers (class of 1942), worked for Botanical Industries of America, and enlisted in May 1942. Assigned to B Company 116th Infantry, his date of death is confused being variously given as 16, 17, 18, or 19 June 1944, his unit not correcting the date to 16 June 1944 until February 1945! He was married to Selma Bolozky in 1941 but she apparently was not notified of his death until much later for some reason as she had to ask for help in discovering his fate. He rests today with his brother and mother in Riverview Cemetery, Saddle Brook, New Jersey.