Name: Robert Seldon OWENS Jr.
Rank / Rating: QM3-Quartermaster Third Class
Service #: 845 29 99
DOB: May 23, 1923
From: Kingsport, TN
Parents: Robert Seldon, Sr and Trenvill (Trina) Ethel Hale Owens
Went Aboard: Apr 29, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 22 years, 2 months, 7 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Marilyn Northcutt Henry - Admin
Date Posted:
OWENS, Robert S Jr.
Robert Seldon Owens, Jr. was the son of Robert Seldon, Sr (1878-1981) and Trenvill (Trina) Ethel Hale Owens (1902-1987), both born in VA. Robert was born in Coeburn, VA on May 23, 1923.
The 1930 census lists the family members living in Kingsport, Sullivan County, TN. R. S. Owens, age 32 and Trenvill E. Owens, age 27 are listed as parents of William R., age 11, Jerlene N., age 8, R. S. Jr., age 6 and Leon R. Owens, age 4.
The family was still living in Kingsport as recorded on the 1940 census. Seldon, age 42, Trina, age 37, Willie, age 20, Robert, age 17 and Leon Owens, age 15.
Robert graduated from Robbins-Bennett High School, Kingsport, in 1941.
Source Credits1930 US Census, TN, Sullivan Co. Kingsport, East Ward; HH # 710
1940 US Census, TN, Sullivan Co., Kingsport, East Ward; HH #710; citing Seldon Owens family
USN WWII Muster Rolls, 1938-1949; Ancestry database
USN Ships, Stations and Other Naval Activities, 1939-1949; Ancestry database
Naval History and Heritage Command, US Navy Personnel in WWII, Service and Casualty Statistics; citing definition of USN VS designation.
Bureau of Naval Personnel, Information Bulletin. ALL HANDS, July 1944, No. 326, p. 67; citing July 1, 1944 Temp. appointments.
Find-A-Grave/Memorial/193962919/Robert-Sheldon-Owens
Yearbooks.com, Dobbins-Bennett High School, 1941; Senior photo of Robert
VA, Norfolk Co., Certificate of Marriage, 1936-2014, Ancestry; citing marriage of Noba Jerlene Owens Bevins, 1962, daughter of Robert Seldon Owens and Trina Hale. Cert. # 4172.
Navy Department, Casualty Section, Office of Public Information (1946): Combat Connected Naval Casualties, WWII, by States; Vol. MY-WY; TN, p. 12; citing Robert Seldon Owens, Jr.
Rank / Rating: QM3-Quartermaster Third Class
He registered for the draft June 30, 1942 at age 19 listing his place of birth as Coeburn, (Wise Co.) VA and his residence in Kingsport, TN. He listed his mother as the person who would always know his address.
Robert enlisted in the USN on Jan 26, 1943 at Nashville, TN. After basic training in San Diego, he received his first order for duty on April 27, 1943.
On April 29, 1943, Robert walked the gangway to go aboard USS Indianapolis CA-35. He is noted on the Report of Changes for the ship as enlisted in the USN S2c, SV. "SV" indicates that Robert voluntarily enlisted in the Navy vs. being drafted into service.
He was advanced from S2c (Seaman 2nd class) to S1c on Dec 1, 1943. On July 1, 1944 he was advanced to QM 3c (T) (Quartermaster 3rd class - Temporary). Beginning July 1, 1944, the Navy made all advancements temporary to avoid an overabundance of petty officers after the war.
In the navy, the quartermaster is a petty officer responsible for steering the ship, taking charge of the helm, and managing signals and navigational equipment. Robert was working his way up the ladder and likely aspired to Chief Quartermaster.
On Mar 18, 1945 the Kingsport Times-News posted an article
describing the meeting in Hawaii of Robert and his brother, Capt. William J. Owens, US Army. The copy of the article is mostly unreadable due to age. What is readable is that it had been sixteen months since they had seen each other. William took Robert to his the tent on the Army base in Oahu where he was staying. Then, William had someone with a jeep drive them to USS Indianapolis where Robert showed him around the ship that had been his home for the past two years. The next day, Robert took two buses to Oahu for another visit with William. Robert described his visit with William in a letter home to his parents, calling it "two of the swellest days I've had since last Thanksgiving when home on leave."
The article noted that Robert was 22 years old and William 26, both graduates of Dobyns-Bennett High School. William was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and been overseas for the last year. Another brother, (Raymond) Leon Owens, as a Gunner's Mate 3rd class, USS Chippewa AT-69.
As mentioned in the news article, Robert was home on leave for Thanksgiving, in Nov 1944. Indianapolis had arrived at Mare Island, Vellejo, CA, on Oct 19th for repairs and overhaul. She would remain there until Jan 3, 1945.
Just six months later, the Kingsport Times published a follow-up article on Sunday, Sept 16, 1945 reporting that Robert was missing in the July 30, 1945 sinking of USS Indianapolis CA-35. He was only 22 years old.
The family would have received a first telegram stating Robert was missing in action. A second telegram would state that Robert’s body was unrecoverable and he was presumed dead.
Robert’s personally engraved Purple Heart was mailed to his mother as the person who would always know his address.
Robert was entitled to wear the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with one silver and four bronze stars to represent the nine battle actions in which he participated on board Indianapolis.
Robert, you are not forgotten.
ABBOTT, George Stanley 
FRONTINO, Vincent Fred 
AMICK, Homer Irwin