Naval History and Heritage Command

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Robert Marshall Askin was born in Salem, Missouri, on April 10, 1893, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William C. (Wolcott) Askin. He attended Washington University of St. Louis, Missouri, receiving his degree in Dentistry there before entering the US Naval Reserve Force as Dental Surgeon on June 21, 1917. He transferred to the US Navy, Dental Corps, early in 1919 in the rank of Lieutenant, and has served continuously since that time, attaining the rank of Captain to date from January 1, 1942.

He was stationed at Norfolk Navy Yard, for seven months after reporting for active duty on June 25, 1917, and in February, 1918 he was assigned to the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, serving until June, 1919. He then joined USS Solace for a two year tour, and transferred in July, 1921 he was assigned to the Navy Yard, Mare Island, California and served until May, 1925, and when detached he joined USS Chaumont, at that time attached to the Naval Transport Service. In September, 1927 he returned to Mare Island Navy Yard for a tour of duty extending to March, 1930.

Two years at Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii and four years at Puget Sound Navy Yard and the Naval Hospital, Bremerton, Washington, were followed by duty aboard USS California from March, 1936-1938. Returning to duty on the West Coast, he served at the Marine Corps Base, Naval Operating Base, San Diego, California, from April, 1938 to February, 1940, and was assigned briefly to the Naval Air Station there before assuming duty aboard USS Saratoga in June, 1940.

He again had shore duty on the West Coast at mare Island Navy Yard from March to August, 1942, and at Naval Air Station, San Diego, until September, 1945, transferring at that time to Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, to serve from October, 1945 to June, 1949. In June, 1949 he was ordered to the Naval Station, Treasure Island, San Francisco, his present billet.

Captain Askin has the World War I Victory Medal; the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; American Campaign Medal; and World War II Victory Medal.

He died July 7, 1960.

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