Robert P. Emerson was born on February 21, 1919 to Ralf and Mary Emerson who lived in Sadsburyville, Pennsylvania (northeast of Parkesburg and west of Coatesville). He was one of eleven children, including Joseph, Elizabeth, Ralph, Marguerite, Charles, Thelma, Catherine, Doris, Don, and Kenneth. The family later moved to State Hill, a community near Parkesburg on Route 10, just north of Route 30.

Robert was educated at the Chestnut Grove School in Sadsburyville, (located on State Hill) and then the Parkesburg High School (which then was located on Strasburg Ave., today the Parkesburg School Apartments). He attended the Upper Octoraro Presbyterian Church, on Route 10 just north of town.

Robert’s family later moved to Chadds Ford, then to State Street and Mill Road in Kennett Square. Robert obtained employment at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland as a construction worker.

In Kennett Square, the family ran a gas station/garage side-by-side with a road side restaurant (at left - click to enlarge).  The women of the family ran the restaurant, and the men ran the gas station.  They all occupied living quarters in the rear of both buildings.

Robert was drafted entering service in the Army in March 1941. He received basic training in South Carolina, and was stationed at Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, and transferred to Camp Gordon, Florida, Camp Livingston, Louisiana, Camp Pickett, Virginia, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for additional training.

Robert's last visit home was in September 1943, before his unit was shipped overseas to England, to prepare for the Normandy landings.  He is pictured at left with his mother and father (click image to enlarge).

Robert served with the 28th Recon Troop (Company sized unit) Mechanized, part of the Pennsylvania’s 28th National Guard Infantry Division. The division was known as the “Keystone Division”, and nicknamed by the Germans the “Bloody Bucket” division because of the red Keystone Division patch (pictured at right), and their vicious fighting.

The 28th was deployed to England in October 1943, and spent 10 months of extensive training for the liberation of Europe. The Normandy Landings occurred on June 6, 1944. Robert’s Division was sent ashore at Normandy in July for the push through the German lines across France.

Sergeant Robert P. Emerson was Wounded In Action on August 10, 1944, evacuated and Died Of Wounds on August 12th. He was buried in a local military cemetery.

His parents first received notification that he was seriously wounded on August 26th. They received the telegram that he had died from his wounds a few days later.

After the war, his remains were returned for burial in his home country. Services were held at the Wilde Funeral Home at 434 Main Street in Parkesburg on Saturday, April 30th. Robert was buried with full military honors at the Upper Octorara church Cemetery, on Route 10.

A Hero's Gallery

We have received an unprecedented amount of images, graciously provided by Robert's youngest brother, Kenneth.  To accommodate these images, we have created a gallery on a separate page.  We extend thanks to Kenneth and all of the Emerson family for sharing Robert Paul's life with us.   View the Gallery.