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Adapted from "Lieutenant Commander Robert Bunton Field, United States Naval Reserve" [biography, dated 1 November 1951] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
  • Aviation
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
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Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC-Library

Robert Bunton Field

10 April 1915-8 December 1997

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Robert Bunton Field was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts on April 10, 1915, a son of Mr. Fred F. Field, Jr., now of Brockton, Massachusetts, and the late Ruth Bunton Field. After graduation from Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts, in 1935, he attended Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, four years, receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1939. He entered the US Naval Reserve as an Apprentice Seaman in August, 1940, and the following December was sent to the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School, Chicago, Illinois. He was commissioned Ensign on March 14, 1941, and advanced in rank to Lieutenant Commander to date from July 20, 1945.

Before entering the Naval service, he had been employed in St. Paul, Minnesota, as Area Representative for the Wood Conversion Company. He reported in April, 1941 aboard USS North Carolina, serving successively as Junior Turret Officer, Main Battery, Chief Watch, and Signal Officer, until May, 1944. That Battleship was engaged with the Pacific Fleet, participating in all major engagements throughout the Pacific war area.

From June, 1944, he attended the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, and from January to June, 1945, he was assigned duties on the staff of Commander Cruiser Division 16, Pacific, successively as Operations, Signal, and Aviation Officer. Upon returning to the United States, he was ordered to the First Naval District, and served as a member of the General Court martial Board, Boston, Massachusetts during November and December, 1945. He was then released from active service and returned to civilian occupation.

In October, 1951 he returned to active military duty, and was named Deputy to the Assistant Chief of Administration, Office of Naval Research, Navy Department, Washington, DC, where he was now reported.

Lieutenant Commander Field has the American Defense Service Medal with star; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, with two silver and three bronze stars (13 engagements); Philippine Defense Ribbon; and World War II Victory Medal.

END

Published: Tue May 11 12:02:17 EDT 2021