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Robert Allen Wygle

Brainerd High School, Brainerd, MN; basketball star 1930, 1931, 1932

September 1934, USS Oklahoma;

July 1941, USS Henderson;

August 1941, USS Oklahoma (Pearl Harbor);

July 1942 USS Chevalier (Solomon Islands).

Purple Heart;

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign w/3 Stars.

Robert A. Wygle,

Chief Electrician's Mate

Narrative

In the early morning of December 7, 1941 in the first attacks on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, almost immediately the USS Oklahoma was struck by multiple torpedoes and within minutes the mighty Oklahoma overturned. Robert was among the survivors rescued from the fallen Oklahoma.

In July of 1942, Robert began his service on the USS Chevalier in the South Pacific. The destroyer mainly escorted vital shipments to the area and laid mines in the waters of the Pacific. On July 5, 1943 in the Kula Gulf, the USS Chevalier, USS O'Bannon & the USS Strong were escorting the USS Honolulu, USS St. Louis & USS Helena when they were attacked by 3 Japanese destroyers. The Strong's hull was ripped on both sides and the Strong was sinking fast. It was then the Chevalier rammed the Strong & many survivors crawled on board the Chevalier's deck. The Chevalier remained alongside until 241 survivors had come on board, while O'Bannon delivered counterfire against the Japanese.

The night of October 6, during the Battle of Vella Lavella, the USS Chevalier, USS O'Bannon and the USS Selfridge encountered 9 Japanese destroyers near the Solomon Islands. Although greatly outnumbered, the American fleet attacked the enemy ships hitting them with torpedoes and artillery. The  Chevalier was then struck by a torpedo, ripping her bow off to the bridge, throwing the destroyer out of control. The O'Bannon was then unable to stop and rammed the Chevalier in the engine room, flooding the decks below. While preparing to abandon ship, the captain ordered all torpedoes to be fired at the mighty Japanese destroyer Yugumo, quickly sinking the ship. Soon after, it was apparent the Chevalier could not be saved. The order was given to abandon ship. The surviving crew were picked up by boats from the O'Bannon. 36 men were wounded & 54 men were killed that night on the Chevalier, among the wounded was Robert  Wygle, who died 2 days in the Tulagi Hospital. He was laid to rest in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

Robert was reburied on 5 Mar 1948 at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California. Robert's great grandmother was Abigail (Gardner) Sharp, sole survivor of the Spirit Lake Massacre (in Iowa) & author of a book by the same name.