MontgomeryJoe
08-12-09, 11:19 AM
A 2009 hometown tribute to a true American hero.
Robert F. Starbuck was a Montgomery, NY high school student, who graduated in 1960. Bob enlisted in the Marine Corps and he became a drill instructor (DI) at the Marine Training Facility at Parris Island, SC. Bob worked to mold the minds and bodies of Marine recruits into real soldiers. He taught physical skills, ethics, tactics, sanitation, responsibility, loyalty and devotion to duty that the recruits needed to excel in the United States Marine Corps. Like Jimmy Stewart in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, Bob touched the lives of many people in a very positive way. In 1967, Bob Starbuck lost his life while acting to save one of the night recon Marines that he commanded in Vietnam while under a heavy assault by enemy forces .
Starbuck's hometown of Montgomery, NY conducted a 2009 memorial service for him to a standing room only crowd of proud local residents with full military salutes as part of the program
The attached essay captures some aspects of Bob’s high school life and also his military career. The essay contains several tributes to Bob Starbuck from his fellow Marines, many writing several decades after Bob’s death. This essay illustrates how much this young man meant to his fellow soldiers and how well he served the country that he loved.
Joseph Devine, Montgomery, NY
Robert F. Starbuck was a Montgomery, NY high school student, who graduated in 1960. Bob enlisted in the Marine Corps and he became a drill instructor (DI) at the Marine Training Facility at Parris Island, SC. Bob worked to mold the minds and bodies of Marine recruits into real soldiers. He taught physical skills, ethics, tactics, sanitation, responsibility, loyalty and devotion to duty that the recruits needed to excel in the United States Marine Corps. Like Jimmy Stewart in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, Bob touched the lives of many people in a very positive way. In 1967, Bob Starbuck lost his life while acting to save one of the night recon Marines that he commanded in Vietnam while under a heavy assault by enemy forces .
Starbuck's hometown of Montgomery, NY conducted a 2009 memorial service for him to a standing room only crowd of proud local residents with full military salutes as part of the program
The attached essay captures some aspects of Bob’s high school life and also his military career. The essay contains several tributes to Bob Starbuck from his fellow Marines, many writing several decades after Bob’s death. This essay illustrates how much this young man meant to his fellow soldiers and how well he served the country that he loved.
Joseph Devine, Montgomery, NY