Project 888
Name: Robert Eugene BILZ
Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second ClassService #: 294 02 72 DOB: May 05, 1927 From: Elkhart, IN Parents: Lewis J. and Mary Esther Lockwood Bilz Went Aboard: July 14, 1945 Age When Ship Went Down: 18 years, 2 months, 25 days Spouse: Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Patricia Stephens (Admin) |
 BILZ, Robert E |
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Robert was the son of Lewis J. and Mary Esther Lockwood Bilz. He was born in Concord, Elkhart, IN at 2:00 p.m. on March 5, 1927.
The 1940 census recorded the family still living in Concord. Lewis was a foreman in a rubber works company and Mary Esther was a housewife. Both were born in Indiana. They had two sons, Lewis J., Jr., the oldest, age 14 and Robert E., age 13, attending school and had completed the 4th grade.
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 No draft registration card was found because Robert enlisted in the USN at age 17 with the consent of one of his parents. The USN was allowed to accept men age 17, but not 18. In 1945, if he was 18 he would have been required to register with selective service and wait to be "inducted" or "drafted" into service.
Two weeks shy of his 18th birthday, Robert enlisted in the USN on Feb 18, 1945 at Indianapolis, IN. He was received that same day at Great Lakes Training Center, IL, for basic training where he began as a AS (Apprentice Seaman). He proved himself in training and on April 11, 1945 was advanced to S2c (Seaman 2nd class). With training completed, he was transferred to the Naval Receiving Station at Shoemaker, Dublin Co., CA, on April 21st.
Most likely Robert rode the train to CA. This was the primary mode of transportation for servicemen within the US. It would be a long trip with frequent stops and transfers. It is not unreasonable to assume he had never traveled far from his home in Indiana so everything was new to him.
Finally, he arrived at Shoemaker and was received on May 5, 1945. He was transferred that same day to the Receiving Station at San Francisco, CA where he would remain until he received his first order for sea duty.
That day came on July 14, 1945 and he was granted permission to come aboard USS Indianapolis CA-35. Robert had probably never seen a heavy cruiser, or any other ship, before his arrival in CA. Indy was an impressive ship, wearing her 8D Camouflage pattern on her outward surfaces. While not as large as a battleship, she was huge with a length of 610 ft. (202 yards) and a beam of 66 ft. A destroyer was 240 ft., 80 yards shorter than Indy. Her height towered 133 ft. from her waterline to the top of radar antennae.
Indy had been at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA since May 2, 1945 for repairs from a kamikaze attack on March 30th. She was in dry dock from May 5th until June 22nd. Back in the water, more repairs continued, as well as refitting. During this time many enlisted were transferred to other ships, so new crewmembers would be needed when Indy returned to sea duty. But, that would not be until at least September, so there was plenty of time, or so everyone thought.
On July 12th, Captain McVay received orders to immediately prepare his crew for departure on a secret mission and he should depart no later than July 16th. His few officers still on board were as astounded as he was when he informed them of the orders. But, they were mostly "old salts" who never questioned an order.
The crew was scattered across the US on furlough, in training schools, or in the onshore barracks at Mare Island. Telegrams ordered them to return to the ship at once. However, there was still a need for new crewmembers to fill the ship's current complement of 1,195 men.
Whether this would have been the Navy's first choice of service for Robert will never be known. He was available and Indy needed 250 new crewmembers, quickly.
One day after Robert reported on board, Indianapolis departed Mare Island on Sunday morning, July 15th, for a short trip across the bay to Hunter's Point Navy Yard at San Francisco. Later that afternoon, top-secret cargo was loaded on board for transport to Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands. None of the officers or crew knew the contents of their cargo when they departed on July 16, 1945.
After the delivery, Indianapolis departed Tinian and after a short stop at Apra Habor, Guam, she sailed for Leyte, her final destination. Half-way there, on July 30, 1945, Indy was struck by two torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-58 and sank in 12 minutes. Whether Robert made it off the ship and into the water is not known. He was only 5 months beyond his 18th birthday.
The news that Robert was missing reached his parents. It had been only six months since they had received word that Robert's older brother, Pvt. Lewis J., Jr., also 18 years old, was killed in France on Jan 5, 1945. When word arrived that Robert was declared dead, their world was forever scattered. All gave some, but their sons gave all.
Robert's name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously.
Robert, you are not forgotten.
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IN, State Board of Health, Div or Vital Statistics, Certificate of Birth, 11073, Register #8; citing Robert Eugene Bilz 1940 US Census, IN, Elkhart Co., Concord; HH 222; citing the family of Lewis Bilz City Directory, Elkhart, IN, 1945; citing Lewis J. Bilz and Robert E. Bilz, same address. The South Bend Tribune (IN), Wed, Sept 19, 1945, p. 13; citing death of two brothers Navy Department, Casualty Section, Office of Public Information (1946): Combat Connected Naval Casualties, WWII, by States; Vol. AL-MO; IN, p. 2; citing parents Mr and Mrs Lewis J. Bilz, Elkhart, IN IN, State Board of Health, Medical Certificate of Death; H-34, p. 121, #80-036082; citing Lewis J. Bilz, b. 16 Oct 1903, d. 24 Oct 1980, Leesburg, Kosciusko Co., IN. Wife Mary Lockwood. Verifies his middle initial. WWII Draft Registration: Lewis J. (Initial) Bilz, 38 yo, b. 16 Oct 1903, Kosciusko Co., Elkhart, IN; citing middle initial only (no middle name) The South Bend Tribune, Tues, Jan 23, 1945, p. 18; citing the death of Pvt. Lewis J. Bilz, Jr., US Army, age 18, Elkhart, IN, was killed in France, Jan 5, 1945.
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