Oral History Interview with Robert Marshall, September 22, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Marshall. Marshall was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania July 20, 1918. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1936. In 1940 his unit was called to active duty. He entered Midshipman’s school. He tells of being hospitalized for encephalitis and hearing of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Marshall received a discharge from the service against his wishes. He was reinstated in March 1943 and assigned as an instructor to a construction battalion where he met Draper Kauffman. Marshall was then assigned to a newly formed underwater demolition team (UDT) and describes the strenuous training conditions. Upon completion of training, Marshall was assigned to UDT team #5. He tells of UDT actions on Saipan the day prior to the Allied invasion and UDT team casualties