John Q Roberts (APD 94) - Naval Cruise Book

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FCRE CJRD - THIS is the story in words and photographs of the U.S.S. IOHN Q. ROBERTS CAPD 945. written by the officers and men who took her from the Chaleston Navy Yard when she was born, put her through one year's honarable service with the United States Navy in war and peace, and fi- nally helped her to a well earned rest on the peaceful waters o1 the St. Iohn's River in Florida. The Roberts lays no claim to glorious battle history. Not one of the numerous shells fired from her single 5 !38 mount was ever pointed in the direction of a known enemy. Nevertheless. every member of her crew had the sincere conviction that if ever the opportunity arose to do battle with the enemy. she 'would have proved herself to be the fine fighting ship which must of necessity result from the combination of Charleston's steel. fire and sweat, and a well-organized. well-trained spirited crew un- der good leadership. The Roberts is named for Iohn Quincy Roberts. an outstand- ing scholar and athlete at the University of Alabama. who later became a Naval Aviator. Ensign Roberts lost his life in the Bat- tle of Midway while operating from the U. S. S. ENTERPRISE. He was awarded the Navy Cross' posthumously for heroism and courageous devotion to duty. His citation said he pressed home his fierce attacks in the face of a formidable barrage of anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition. He was also awarded the Purple Heart and was entitled to wear the Ameri- can Defense Service Medal. Fleet Clasp. the Asiatic Pacific Cam- paign Medal and the Ribbon of the Presidential Citation award- ed the U. S. S. ENTERPRISE. Such were the glorious and courageous traditions and prec- edents set for the ROBERTS by the man for whom she was named, and she can hold her head up proudly and say. I never let him down.

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.. .--W ENSIGN lol-IN Q. ROBEBTS Iohn Quincy Roberts was born on Sep- tember 2, 1915 in Marshall County, Alabama, the son of the late Grover Roberts and former Deany Kelley. Iohnny Red Roberts graduated from West End High School, Birmingham, in 1934, where he was a football star and made all- county and all-state football ratings. He won a scholarship to the University of Alabama for his outstanding work at that high school. He entered the University in the fall of 1934 in the College of Education. He was on the squad of the Crimson Tide in 1935, 1936, 1937, being a mem- ber of the team that played in the Rose Bowl that year. In the summer of 1937 he was named onthe National Amateur All-Star team and played inthe national meet. He received his B. S. degree in Physi- cal Education on May 30, 1939. I Iohnny went into the Navy in 1940, and Ianuary 5 he went to the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, Florida. He was again an outstanding man at that school, and won his wings September 24th. Ensign Roberts lost his life in the Battle of Midway as a naval aviator aboard the USS Enterprise on Iune 4, 1942. At that time he was listed as miss- ing in action, and was officially declared dead Iune 5, 1943. The late Secretary Frank Knox awarded the Navy Cross to Ensign Rob- erts posthumously for heroism and courageous devotion to duty. His cita- tion said he pressed home his fierce attacks in the face of a formidable bar- rage of anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition. He was also awarded the Purple He-art and was entitled to wear the American Defense service medal, fleet clasp, the Asiatic-Pacific campaign metal, and the ribbon of the Presidential Citation awardedthe USS Enterprise.