"Oh, I'm very happy about it," she said, "because I'm the only one left, and I've just always wondered, and I'm glad he's finally coming home."
So said Ensign Robert Till's sister, Jean Alpin, talking to John Rutherford of NBC News. She was telling the story of her brother, upon the return of his remains from the Phillipines, where he died, December 8, 1941.The Naval Historical Center said that "Ensign Robert Tills died in the fusillade of bullets from the Japanese strafers, the first American naval officer killed in the defense of the Philippines." His body lay unrecovered in the wreckage of his aircraft in Malalag Bay in the Phillipines until last year.
That story, in juxtaposition to the next one, brought to mind "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
Meet retired Navy Lieutenant Paul Finn, the oldest holder of the Medal of Honor, and the only living recipient of a Pearl Harbor Medal of Honor.
Note his story, from his Medal citation:
For extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kanoehe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lieutenant Finn promptly secured and manned a 50-caliber machine gun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machine-gun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first-aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Both of these warriors were strafed by the Japanese in suprise attacks in the opening acts of the war in the Pacific. One, Paul Finn, is a holder of the Medal of Honor, and has lived a good long life. The other, Robert Tills, just made it home, finally.
There, but for the grace of God.
The story of Ensign Tills has one final twist. Ensign Tills will perhaps get at least one more visit with his fianceé, Ms. Vicki Quandt Lee.
"We found the girl he was going to marry, his fiancée, and she is still alive and in good health," Jean said.
Now 89 and widowed, Vicki hopes to join Jean on March 23 when Bob Tills is finally laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam for Ensign Robert Tills , and all the warriors who still rest in unknown graves.
Welcome home, sailor.
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