Only seven World War II members are still living in Dearborn County
(GREENDALE, Ind.) -- A Lawrenceburg native who served in World War II passed away on Tuesday.
Robert "Bob" Savage was born on December 17, 1924 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 19-years-old in 1944.
He served onboard the USS Springfield which was part of a group of ships that transported President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Malta for a conference with Soviet Union Dictator Joseph Stalin and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Savage and his shipmates would later serve in the Pacific Theatre in 1945. At one point, the ship came under attack from Japanese kamikaze planes.
The ship also participated in strikes against Japan leading up to the dropping of the Atomic Bomb in Hiroshima.
Savage was honorably discharged in 1946 but later signed up for the Naval Reserves ahead of the Korean War and served until 1951.
After the military, he married his wife, Frances, and they had two daughters.
He owned Savage Appliance in Aurora for 35 years and was also a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, American Legion Post #239, and the Knights of Columbus. He was alo heavily involved with the Dearborn Adult Center.
He is survived by his daughters, two brothers, eight grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and the funeral services will follow.
"Robert Savage is truly a member of 'America's Greatest Generation' as newscaster Tom Brokaw described those that served, fought, and died in defense of liberty during World War II," said local veteran and historian PG Gentrup.
"Bob, we thank you for your service to your country. You are truly a patriot, and we salute you," Gentrup added.
Savage was one of only eight World War II veterans that remain in Dearborn County. Last December, PG Gentrup organized a luncheon to bring the veterans together for one last hoorah.
Comentários