Rank / Rating: MM2-Machinist's Mate Second Class
Bob registered for the draft on June 30, 1942 listing his age as 18, no employment, height 5’6”, weight 143 lbs. (1)
He enlisted in the US Navy on Christmas Eve, Dec 24, 1942. He was received at Farragut, Idaho on Christmas day, Dec 25, 1942, for basic training. He entered as a AS (Apprentice Seaman) and advanced to S2c (Seaman second class).
He was hospitalized at Farragut for an unknown cause from Feb 2 to Feb 16, 1943. With training completed, he was transferred April 5, 1943.
Bob was received at RS San Francisco, CA, on April 7, 1943. While there, he was advanced to F3c (Fireman 3rd class). He was transferred for duty to USS Indianapolis CA-35. He went aboard 30 April 1943 while the ship was in San Francisco.(2)
Bob performed well and advanced in his rate. Aug 1, 1943, Robert advanced to F2c. Jan 1, 1944 he advanced to F1c. He advanced to MM3c (Machinist's Mate 3rd class), on June 1, 1944. He reached his last rate on May 1, 1945 when he advanced to MM2c.
He was aboard USS Indianapolis when she went down July 30, 1945 while en route to the Philippines from Guam, after a run which set a new speed record from San Francisco. After delivering components of the atomic bomb she was approximately 450 miles from Leyte when two heavy under-water explosions occurred. She had been torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-58. Whether Bob made it into the water is unknown.
His shipmate and buddy, Emil Joseph Lakatos, Jr., of Manitowoc, WI, lost his life in the tragedy.
A veteran of nine engagements, Bob had seen 27 months of active sea duty in the Pacific. His last battle action was in 1945 when he participated in the pre-invasion bombardments of Okinawa and Iwo Jima and the shelling of Kyushu and Honshu, Japan.
He earned the Asiatic-Pacific, American Theater and the Philippine Liberation ribbons and the Purple Heart, posthumously. Bob would have celebrated his 22nd birthday the day USS Indianapolis was sunk.
A memorial was held to honor Robert at St. Anne’s Episcopal church, DePere, with the Rev. B. F. Miller in charge. The American Legion and the American Red Cross participated in the rites.
A government issued grave marker was placed as a cenotaph in the South Lawrence Cemetery, De Pere, Brown Co., WI
Note: To honor those who lost their lives in 1945 on board Indianapolis, the Legacy Education Committee aired an original video on Memorial Day May 29, 2023 on www.ussindianapolis.com. A welcomed response was received from Ellen Heyer who shared:
Thank you SO much for doing this memorial! I just received my Legacy flag* on Thursday - flown in honor of my great-cousin Robert Ralph Cavil, MM2 along with the certificate, and a photo of his name on the memorial and of a flag flying. It brought me to tears!
I brought (these things) to the cemetery where his mother, father and infant brother are buried, where Robert also has a stone in his memory that says "lost at sea". I took photos with the flag, the certificate and some other memorabilia to share with you guys! I've always felt a bond with Bob (Robert) and try to keep his memory alive b/c he was the only living child, so the last of his family line and his mother was like a second Grandma to me since she had no grandchildren. I plan to attend the (Honor) Watch this summer. Thank you for all you do! Ellen
*USS Indianapolis Legacy Organization sponsors a Flag Program to honor the crew of USS Indianapolis CA-35.
**Honor Watch - Held yearly at USS Indianapolis Memorial Monument, Indianapolis, IN on July 30th to honor the men who experienced the tragic sinking on that date.
For information on both programs, visit www.ussindianapolis.org
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ABBOTT, George Stanley 
FRONTINO, Vincent Fred 
AMICK, Homer Irwin