After a lengthy illness Lt. Colonel Robert E. Spencer U.S. Army retired departed this life at 0900 hours January 26th 1999. Colonel Spencer began his military career in August of 1933 as a member of the Texas National Guard. While attending Sunset high school he was active in the ROTC program. He volunteered for duty with the regular Army in 1942 by applying for the glider corp. Bob was a private pilot at the time. He was not accepted for Glider pilot training due to his eyesight. He took his basic training at Fort Walters Texas. He shipped out of New York to his first assignment in Puerto Rico with the Caribbean- Defense- Command. While in Puerto Rico he contracted malaria and spent a great number of days hospitalized. While in Puerto Rico he was selected for Officer Candidate School. He shipped out to Fort Benning to attend officer’s candidate school. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. He was assigned to the 81st Division U. S. Army. He joined the Division while on training maneuvers in the desert. Later the Divisions moved to California for additional training in beach assaults, demolition. During this training a number of casualties were incurred during demolition training including key NCO members of Lt. Spencer’s platoon. The Division then moved to Hawaii for extensive jungle warfare training. The Division moved from Hawaii to Guadacanal for final amphibious assault rehearsal on the historic shores of Cape Esperance.
On 17 September 1944 Lt. Spencer lead his platoon ashore in the invasion of Anguar, an island in the Palau group by the 321st Regimental Combat Team of the 81st Division. The 321st fought yard by yard to secure the ground required to establish an airfield on Angur. The airstrip was key to the air combat support and supply for the invasion of the Philippines. On September 23rd the 321st Regimental Combat Team First battalion was deployed to relieve the 1st marine division on the nearby island of Pelilu. The First Division had suffered the greatest amount of casualties of any Marine unit in action at that time. Lt. Spencer led his platoon in combat to secure the island. This included the assault on many fortified caves and enemy positions. Using flamethrowers, explosives to achieve objectives. On the 28th September Lt. Spencer in command of a hastily organized demolition and flame-thrower group advanced under cover of supporting weapons fire and personally led his group in the destruction of numerous caves occupied by the enemy. Although wounded himself, he refused to be evacuated until the safety of other casualties was assured. For the action Lt. Spencer was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. He returned to combat where he was wounded again when his demolition team member was killed by an explosive satchel charge used to destroy Japanese Army caves and fortified positions. The 321st Regimental Combat Team was successful in combat operations at Boyd Ridge, Five Brothers, Old Baldy, China Wall, Death Valley, and Wildcat Bowl. On 27 November all resistance by the Japanese Army on Peleliu was over come by the U.S. forces. Lt. Spencer was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy; later he was awarded the Expert Combat Infantry Badges. In December 1944 the Division shipped out for New Caledonia for R&R and additional training. In July of 1945 the Division moved to Leyte Island in the Philippines. At Leyte Caption Spencer in commanded an Infantry Rifle Company in search and destroy mission of the remaining element of the Japanese Army on the island. Due to the use of the atomic bomb the 81st was spared the casualties and destruction that would have occurred if an invasion of the Japan homeland had been attempted. As an occupation force the 81st was stationed at Ogasaki airbase in Amori Japan. While in Japan Captain Spencer was able to witness first hand destruction of the Atomic bomb in Nagasaki.
After the war Colonel Spencer was a member of the U.S. Army reserves serving till 1963 when he went off inactive duty status due to a heart attack. In the cold war era Colonel Spencer served in many capacities. Working many week ends and summer vacations performing his reserve duty. He was the Battalion commander of the 1st Battalion 359th infantry 90th Infantry Division. The 359th was responsible for ground defense of the various Nike Missiles air defenses bases ringing Dallas Fort Worth area. Through out the 50’s and into the 60’s Bob led troops in two-week active duty summer camps. He and the troops endured scorching heat of Ft. Hood and the sweltering humidity of Ft. Polk to prepare for deployment for national defense, this work included troop deployment, equipment and weapons training and maneuvers. While reviewing the troops in training Lt. General Earl Rudder stated that the U.S. Army Reserves were a key element in the cold war defense of the United States. Colonel Spencer was a member of regimental staff known as the “Scotch Committee”. Colonel Spencer retired from the Army in March of 1977.
Before the war Bob attended Sunset High school in Dallas Texas, Graduating in 1935. Where he lettered in football and worked after school carrying a Dallas News route or working in a drug store. Bob worked after high school as a timekeeper for a general contractor for about two years. The contractor was building dorm buildings at North Texas State College. He then worked for the Texas Highway Department as a Rodman on a survey crew. He often spoke fondly of his time with the Highway Department working in East Texas. He was certified an “Airman” by the Civil aeronautics Administration in 1939. He was flying a private plan when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th as a member of the Civil Air Patrol.
While involved in a distinguished military career Bob was developing a business career. He started as a check runner at the Mercantile bank in Dallas. He worked in all aspects of banking and later at the as a loan officer at the Mercantile. He moved to National Cities Bank, which became Republic National Bank, which is now part of Bank America. He worked at Republic Bank for over 24 years. In 1960 he was promoted to Vice President. He attended and graduated from SMU Southwestern Graduate School of Banking in 1961. His thesis, which was entitled “A Challenge to the Banking Community in Reclamation of Blighted Residential Areas: A Banker’s Role in Urban Renewal” was one of five theses out of 95 accepted “with distinction” by the Thesis Committee. During this time he was involved with the development of many of today’s largest Dallas automobile dealers. He was instrumental in introduction of the charge card to Dallas Fort Worth. In a time when bank examiner’s declared credit cards not a feasible bank service Bob persevered. This provided Republic with the first credit card and introduces Dallas to Master Charge. This credit card group was so successful that is was later sold off to the Citibank Corp as a separate corporation when Republic was absorbed by NCNB. His years of work at Republic were rewarded by the many special relationships he developed with his co-workers. Bob practiced equal rights for everyone before it was popular. In the last years of service to the bank he headed up the “Starguard” program. At the time an innovative bank service to direct deposit social security checks.
While pursuing career goals Bob also found time to participate in the American Business Club charitable foundation. He served on the board of directors and was president in 1963. During this time Bob was heavily involved with the American Business Club home for boys. Which provided a home, guidance, self-respect, and a chance for the future for delinquent and depend boys between the ages of 14 to17. Later Bob was a member of Seratoma business service club serving as an officer. In 1965 Bob was appointed Director of the Junior Chamber of Commerce Halfway House. He was active with the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Texas, serving as vice president and member of the Executive Committee of the State Board. He was also involved with the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Dallas County, serving as a vice president and program services committee member. He was also active in the Boys Club and Boy Scouts. He also found time to teach Sunday school at Calvary Baptist Church in Oak Cliff and later at Oakwoods Christian Church. Bob and Neda were long time supporters of the Dallas Military Ball and turned the organizations yearly event into a coveted family tradition.
Bob and his wife Neda first meet when they were in there early teens. They were married at the Calvary Baptist Church November 4th, 1939. They became avid RV travelers in the 60’s when the purchased their first camper van. Through out the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s they traveled in their RV’s. Their travels took them from Nova Scotia to Mazetlan Mexico and every state in the union. In these travels they wore four motor homes and one van. After retirement they became full time Rver’s except for trips two trips to Europe.
Already in this mid seventy’s Bob took on the computer world and purchased a Tandy personal computer. He taught himself how to use the PC and took great pleasure in conquering new programs. He would not be left behind by technology. He updated his hardware to keep pace with the times. He went on from DOS based equipment to windows 3.0 and on to windows 98
Bob Spencer’s love and interest in photography spanned over 60 years of his life. In the 30’s and 40’ he did some very exciting and creative work. He photographed a great deal of his war experience. Using every day items he created wonderful illusions in photos. His customized family Christmas cards are still a marvel today. His interest in photography documented his life and travels and capturing our country’s native beauty.