Ingling, Robert Bayer

Title

Performer

Robert Bayer Ingling

Interviewer

William Vollano

Description

Robert was inducted on February 8, 1944, after completing one year at the University of Michigan School of Engineering. He had been deferred once, but turned down a second deferment, because he wanted to be part of the war effort. Robert started out in the ASTP program which made him happy, because he thought that he could continue his education. After two weeks, he was headed for basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was assigned to the 95th Infantry Division. The 95th was used as a replacement pool for other Divisions that had experienced large numbers of casualties. On August 9, 1944 Robert embarked for Liverpool on an unescorted ship, the USS West Point. Fortunately, the ship was too fast for the U-Boats. After three weeks in England, the 95th was sent to Omaha Beach, where it joined the 3rd Army under General George Patton. Robert’s outfit captured the major city of Metz, taking major casualties. He was then transferred to the 9th Army for the drive on the Rhine River. Although the worst fighting was over, "mopping up" operations took many lives. Robert returned to the United States for a thirty-day furlough, prior to being sent to amphibious training, for the planned invasion of Japan "Operation Coronet." The planned invasion was cancelled after the Japanese surrender. Of the original 44 men in his platoon, he was one of six who came through uninjured. Robert experienced the fear of combat, and he wondered if he would make it to see his parents again. Although not wounded, he did spend 27 months in hospitals because of service-connected TB. With service time, hospitalizations, and reduced workloads, it took Robert ten years to finish college. The 95th has had reunions since 1950, being deactivated right after the War, with diminishing numbers. Last year alone 99 members died. The morality of using the "bomb" stirred up much controversy, but Robert firmly believes that without it, he wouldn't be here today.

Date Span

1944-1945

Dates of Service

Subject

Drafted; United States Army; Company L, 377th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division; World War, 1939-1945; Second World War - European Theater; Sergeant

Publisher

Center for Oral History Research at Eastern Michigan University

Collection Location

2/28

https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/loc.natlib.afc2001001.53015

Spatial Coverage

Second World War - European Theater

Item