Robert W. Copeland
| Robert Witcher Copeland | |
|---|---|
Robert W. Copeland circa 1944
|
|
| Born |
September 9, 1910 Tacoma, Washington |
| Died | August 25, 1973 (aged 62) Tacoma, Washington |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Naval Reserve |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Unit | "Taffy 3" |
| Commands held | Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413) |
| Battles/wars | Battle off Samar |
| Awards |
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Philippine Liberation Medal |
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Rear Admiral Robert Witcher Copeland (September 9, 1910 – August 25, 1973) served during World War II.
Copeland was born in Tacoma, Washington. Enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1929, he was commissioned as a Naval Reserve officer in 1935. Copeland practiced law from 1935 until 1940, when he was ordered to active duty during the Navy's pre-World War II expansion. During the war, he commanded Pawtucket (YT-7), Black Douglas (PYc-45), Wyman (DE-38) and Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413).
During the Battle off Samar, October 25, 1944, while commanding Samuel B. Roberts, Lieutenant Commander Copeland led his ship and crew in an attack on a superior Japanese battleship and cruiser force. Though his ship was lost, this action helped defeat the Japanese counter-offensive against the Leyte invasion. For this, he was awarded the Navy Cross, and shared the Presidential Unit Citation with the rest of Task Unit 77.4.3
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