ND Veterans Affairs News: State

Received Purple Heart award with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Lost at sea when USS Hull went down during Typhoon Cobra, where a total of 202 lives were lost. Buried in Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

By C.S. Hagen
August 19, 2022 12:22 PM

FARGO — Seventy-eight years after a U.S. soldier died during World War II, his remains have been identified by a laboratory.

Pfc. Robert L. Alexander, 27, of Tolley, North Dakota, fought with the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, and died on July 7, 1944, while defending against a “mass suicide or banzai” attack on Saipan in the Mariana Islands, according to a statement the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency issued Friday, Aug. 19.

Received Purple Heart award.

Received Purple Heart award.

A B-17 crew member, assigned to 28th BG 36th BS.

Lt. Allen was reported missing when his plane was shot down by enemy aircraft during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He was awarded a Navy Cross for the defense of his carrier and a Gold Star for the action in which he lost his life.

Born Dodge ND (Dunn County) June 30, 1920. Resident Burleigh County ND when entered US Army at Ft. Snelling MN on April 1, 1943. Served in European African Middle Eastern Theater. KIA 11 April 1945. Member 313th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division. Buried at Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial. Name included on the All Veterans Memorial State Capitol Grounds Bismarck North Dakota under the county of Dunn. From Memorial American Battle Monuments Commission for the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial.