Robert Lee Wolverton

Born: October 5, 1914, Elkins, Randolph County, West Virginia
Died: 1:41 am, June 6, 1944, Saint-Côme-du-Mont, Normandy, France
Alma Mater: United States Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1938, Cullum No. 11257
Married: Kathleen "Kay" Goodwin, August 17, 1938
Children: Robert Lachlan "Lock" Wolverton, born August 24, 1941, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Unit: Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division.
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
ASN: O-21275
Nicknames: Bob, Grapple, Bull
Resting place: United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, New York. Plot - Section VII, Site 54

Why I chose LTC Wolverton

I decided to write about Robert Wolverton because all three of the soldiers whose lives I honor in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial (George Radeka, Phil Germer and Stanley Stockins) served under his command. Furthermore, I was so moved when I first read about him during my research on those soldiers, that I wanted to share his story with you here on my blog. For me it has been an honor to write this brief biography of Robert Wolverton. I hope you enjoy it.

Robert's roots run deep in West Virginia

Robert Wolverton was a true West Virginian. On his father's side, Robert was a descendant of Thomas Brown. In 1780, at age 20, Thomas enlisted in the Continental Army, as a private soldier in the Colonists' fight for independence. He participated in the battle of Cowpens, South Carolina on January 17, 1781, under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan. Thomas Brown died in Preston, West Virginia in 1844. From that point on the Brown / Wolvertons remained anchored in Monongalia region of the state.

Robert's father, Wayne Jay Wolverton Sr, was born to into a large farming family in Jarvisville, WV. Wayne left farming to make his career as a railway postal clerk for the post office in Elkins, WV. In 1911 he married a minister's daughter, Hattie Morgan Sharp. Hattie's family was also from West Virginia. Though Hattie was born in Virginia, she spent almost her entire life in West Virginia. Before her marriage to Wayne, Hattie worked as a stenographer at a lumber company.

Wayne Jay Wolverton, photo credit to Ancestry.com member Zemca.

Hattie Morgan Sharp Wolverton, photo credit to Ancestry.com member Zemca.

The Wolverton brothers. Top left to right- Laurence, William, Lloyd, Benjamin. Bottom left to right- Wayne (Robert's father) and Howard. Sisters Mary and Ada are not in the photograph. Photo credit to Ancestry.com member Tnprovo.

Robert's Early life in Elkins, West Virginia

Robert Lee Wolverton entered this world on October 5, 1914. He spent his first years at 219 Davis Street, in Elkins, West Virginia. His father worked as a clerk and his mother spent her days raising the four Wolverton children: Ruth, Robert, Wayne Jr and Cornelia. In 1920 the Wolvertons moved three blocks down the road to 301 Center Street. Here is a modern photo of the Wolverton family home:

Photo credit: Google Earth

Elkins

Nestled alongside the northwestern edge of the Monongahela National Forest and the Allegheny mountains, Robert's home town of Elkins, West Virginia, thrived in the early 1900s, thanks primarily to its coal mining, railroad and timbering industries. From 1890 to 1950, the town's population grew from 737 to 9,121. Elkins hosted every kind of business imaginable and had no less than 13 churches. There were also hotels, car dealerships, drug stores, grocery stores, barber shops, beauty shops, theaters, a hospital, a high school, and even Davis and Elkins College, Est. 1904.

During Robert's childhood, life in Elkins reflected the very image of the American dream. The surroundings couldn't have provided a more idyllic setting for an active boy in pre-Depression America. In all directions, long, quiet country roads led out of town to forests and natural waterfalls, rivers and streams, all perfect for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and swimming. Everywhere around Elkins, hills and mountains thick with deep forests, rolled on as far as the eye could see, creating an ever-changing panorama of endless natural beauty.

Elkins around the time of Robert's birth

Downtown Elkins in the 1920s.

Downtown Elkins in the 1930s.

For more images of old Elkins click here.

Chick Harding and West Point

Born during World War I, Robert would have been a toddler when the "Doughboys" went "Over There," and in 1919, when the lucky ones began to return home, he would have been old enough to understand what a veteran or a war hero was when he saw one. He must have spent the first decade of his life constantly hearing stories about the Great War.

By age 9, young Robert's biggest dream was to someday attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. This desire was most likely inspired by a local Elkins boy named Neil "Chick" Harding. The Hardings lived about a half a mile up the road from the Wolvertons.

While at Elkins High School, Chick had been a star athlete; his top sport being football. Robert loved football and everything the sport represented. Chick graduated from Elkins High School in 1922 and received his appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he joined the class of 1927.

Chick on the Elkins High School football team in 1921.

In a town like Elkins, if one of its sons went to West Point in the 1920s, it was big news and everyone knew it. And on the occasions when Chick would come home to visit his family, it must have been very exciting for young Robert, who must have idolized Chick. Not only did Chick go to West Point, but there he earned his varsity letter as quarterback of the Army football team. During his seasons with Army, one of the teams he played against (and helped to defeat) was his hometown's college of Davis and Elkins. This must have been thrilling for Robert and the people of Elkins. Following Chick's graduation from West Point, he stayed on briefly to serve as the football team's assistant coach. One can only imagine the impression this must have made on Robert.

Chick wearing his Army varsity letter.

Chick's biography from The Howitzer of 1927. Click on the photo to enlarge it. It's worth reading, as it gives valuable insight into the kind of person Chick was.

Chick's fellow classmate Bob Sink would command Robert Wolverton in the 506th PIR. Sink would retire a Lieutenant General in 1961.

To learn more about Chick Harding's extraordinary life in the service, click here.

Elkins High School to West Point

Elkins High School, circa 1930.

Robert's Elkins High School yearbook photo, class of 1932.

Intelligent and athletic, Robert threw himself into sports and extra-curricular activities with great enthusiasm. As mentioned above, he played on the varsity football team that took second place in the Big Ten Conference. Robert also ran on the track team. While playing football in high school, Robert strained his heart; this put his dream of going to West Point in jeopardy. An important part of admission into West Point was the ability to pass a fitness/physical examination. At times, Robert's heartbeat was rapid and irregular. In an attempt to remedy the problem, Robert stayed physically fit and followed a strict diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and magnesium.

Outside of sports, Robert held positions as the Senior Class Secretary, President of the Hi-Y club (a social club related to the YMCA that did good deeds for people.) and Business Manager of the yearbook committee. In the yearbook, his nickname was listed as "Bob"; his pet phrase: "Oh, my!"; his hangout was "Halliehurst," Senator Elkins' former mansion, now located on the campus of Davis and Elkins College. The yearbook listed his ambition as: "To go to Tennessee." (That dream would come true in June of 1943, when he led his 3rd Battalion of the 506th PIR / 101st Airborne on the Tennessee Maneuvers there, as the paratroopers used the dense forests to practice tactics used when jumping behind enemy lines.)

Robert on the Elkins High School football team in 1931.

Robert (center front) as President of the Elkins High School "Hi-Y" Club.

Robert graduated from Elkins High School in 1932. While waiting for his appointment to West Point, he matriculated at Davis and Elkins College, a small liberal arts college in his home town. His strong character fortified by patience and perseverance served him well at this critical time in his life. He always kept his dream of becoming a West Point Cadet in the back of his mind. Robert continued to play sports and maintained a steady correspondence with several West Point cadets. He also stayed in touch with his congressman, whom he turned to for his congressional nomination. When the right opportunity finally presented itself, Robert seized it. At last, he received his appointment to the United States Military Academy in 1934.

Wayne Jr., Connie (sitting), Ruth and Robert outside their red brick family home in Elkins, West Virginia.

Robert standing outside the same house (probably only seconds before or after the last picture).

Kay Goodwin

Robert went to Elkins High School with Kathleen L Goodwin. Kathleen preferred to be called Kay. While Kay was in high school she was very much involved in school activities. She sang in the Glee Club, was a member of the Everyday Art Club, the Dramatic Club, the Pep Club, the Yearbook Committee, the Girl Reserves, and she performed in acts during the annual "Stunt Night." In the "Future Predictions" section of her senior year yearbook, of her it is said, "Kathleen Goodwin is a queen of the dance." In the "Senior Popularity Contest"section she was voted, "Best date." Kay graduated a year earlier than Robert did from Elkins HS. She went on to study at Davis and Elkins College. There must have been something very special about Kay, for she stole Robert's heart. They would be married on August 17th, 1938, shortly after Robert graduated from West Point.

Kay Goodwin's Elkins High School yearbook photo, as a junior in 1930.

Kay Goodwin in 1930.

Kay Goodwin's Elkins High School yearbook photo, as a senior with the class of 1931.

West Point

Robert loved West Point and everything about military life. He continued playing football at the Academy, but also enjoyed horseback riding (Robert even competed in the Tuxedo Park horse show). He also loved painting. Several times he attempted oils and portraits of his fellow classmates. In one of his first letters home to his Mother, Robert explains that he was disappointed because he could not find any fellow chess players. Robert loved playing chess, and was a member of the USMA chess club during all four years at West Point.

Robert's graduation picture at West Point, Class of 1938.

The Army Navy game circa 1938.

Robert (circled in red) on the USMA football B squad.

Robert at West Point.

Company photo of 4th Company, Robert is circled in red.

Robert's Firstie yearbook description of him.

Robert in the USMA chess club.

Robert's West Point graduation day. He is shaking his brother Wayne Jr.'s hand.

The United States Army

After West Point, Robert's first assignment was to the 27th Infantry Division, in Oahu, Hawaii. On post, he and Kay lived a good life. Robert was the editor for the regiment's paper: The Wolfhound. He also coached the track team and was assistant coach to the football team. Although life wasn't as difficult as it was going to become in the next few years, the men still lived in constant fear of a Japanese attack and several times were ordered to their battle posts. Robert stayed in Hawaii until 1940, and then moved to Fort Bragg, NC, where he became Commander of HQ Company of the 47th Infantry Regiment. It is there, at Fort Bragg, that Robert's son, Robert Lachlan Wolverton, was born on August 24th, 1941.

Kay cuts their wedding cake, with none other than a West Point Cadet's Sword.

Kay and Robert stand, newly wed, surrounded by several of Robert's West Point classmates, forming the Guard Of Honor.

Robert and Kathleen Wolverton, August 17th, 1938.

Oahu, Hawaii, 1941.

Fort Bragg, 1941.

Robert had a burning passion to become a paratrooper. So, on December 7th, 1941, he applied for a transfer to the paratroops. It was granted, but first he went to Fort Leavenworth to attend Command and General Staff School. Upon finishing this school, Robert was ordered to Camp Toccoa, Georgia, to take command of the 3rd Battalion of the newly founded 506th Paratroop Infantry Regiment. On June 15th, 1942, Captain Robert L. Wolverton received his promotion to the rank of Major. He took command of his Battalion with great enthusiasm and began, from scratch, to build what would become one of the US Army's most legendary units.

Major Wolverton Leads the 3/506 in a Record Breaking March

Having completed their training at camp Toccoa, Georgia, in late 1942 the 506th PIR received orders to move to Fort Benning, Georgia to attend parachutist school. It was time to earn their jump wings and become bonafide parachutists.

1st Battalion made the trip by train. In late November 1942, LTC Strayer’s 2/506 left Camp Toccoa on foot and marched 118 miles to Atlanta. From Atlanta they took the train to Fort Benning. Not to be outdone, 3/506th’s commander, Major Wolverton (soon to become LTC), who had learned of a world record held by the Japanese for the longest march, decided he wanted to beat that record and at the same time, show up the 2/506. Major Wolverton gave the order for 3/506 to take the train from Toccoa to Atlanta. Then, at Atlanta, 3rd Battalion detrained and, wearing packs and carrying weapons, began a foot march to Fort Benning. The great leader that he was, Major Wolverton chose to march with his men and led the 700 soldiers on the gruelling 138 mile march from the front of the long green line.

Like many of his men, Major Wolverton suffered terribly from blisters that formed on his feet. His feet began to swell and constantly bled from the raw, open flesh. When the Battalion would stop for breaks, medics attended to his feet, applying bandages and ointments. He carried on marching with his men, and when the pain was too great for him, he took brief rides in an ambulance. It is said that by the end of the march, he no longer wore his boots, because his feet had become so swollen that he couldn’t get them into them, so he wore several pairs of socks instead. Whether this is true or not does not matter, what matters is that he led from the front, he encouraged his men and set the example. He proved that he would never order his men to do anything that he wouldn’t do himself. He showed them he wasn’t a stereotypical West Point “Ring Knocker,” but a true soldier’s soldier. As the 3/506 arrived at Fort Benning, Major Wolverton gave the order for his men to march double time. And they crushed the Japanese record. This march instilled pride in the ranks and gave the unproven parachutists and their leader a reputation as being tough and ready for a fight. The march bonded the men and was a public relations success, as well, because it made news all over the world. Thanks to Major Wolverton’s initiative, the unknown and orphan 506th PIR (soon to become part of the 101st Airborne Division), had scored its first victory and took its first step toward its famous “Rendezvous with Destiny.”

Robert before the record breaking march.

Robert at Fort Benning preparing for a training jump.

The 506th original "Prop blast Party," November 14th, 1942. Robert is circled in red.

Robert at Camp Mackall.

Lieutenant Colonel Wolverton and his Headquarters Company in the Summer of 1943, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Robert carrying his son Lachlan on his shoulder.

Robert at home in Elkins. In the bottom picture to the left of Robert is his brother Wayne Jr. wearing his Navy uniform.

This extract from the US Military Registry (1862-1985) illustrates Robert's rapid ascent through the ranks, from West Point Plebe in 1934 to Lieutenant Colonel in 1943.

LTC Wolverton with the 3/506, photo credit Bob Webb Jr. via Airborne the Combat Story of Ed Shames of Easy Company, by Ian Gardner.

Training and England

The training for the 506th was hard and long and lasted until September 1943, when they sailed over to England. In England though, the men continued training. But now it was different kind of training. The men learned to recognize a German soldier, and practiced battle maneuvers. Things were getting serious and the men could feel an invasion was imminent.

D-Day

At 8pm on the evening of June 5th, Robert called his Battalion together at the parade grounds.

Robert started off by saying that he'd meet the entirety of his men one year from then at the Muehlebach Hotel in Kansas City.

Then he led them in prayer. This moment has engraved itself into 101st Airborne Division history.

He said:
“Men, I am not a religious man and I don’t know your feelings in this matter, but I am going to ask you to pray with me for the success of the mission before us. I would like you to get down on your knees and pray and while you do this do not look down, but look up, with heads held high to the sky. God almighty! In a few short hours we will be in battle with the enemy. We do not join battle afraid. We do not ask favors or indulgence but ask that, if you will, use us as your instrument for the right and an aid in returning peace to the world. We do not know or seek what our fate will be. We only ask this, that if die we must, that we die as men would die, without complaining, without pleading and safe in the feeling that we have done our best for what we believed was right. Oh Lord! Protect our loved ones and be near us in the fire ahead, and with us now as we each pray to you.”

LTC Wolverton was loved by his men. In the next paragraph Sergeant Ralph Bennett talks about his Colonel:

“Colonel Wolverton talked to us just like he was one of the guys and seemed genuinely concerned at the prospect of us not all getting back alive. No one spoke during the whole thing and you could have heard a pin drop. Afterwards he dismissed us and we returned to our own tents. I picked up my Thompson and all my gear and marched the squad out to join the battalion for the final parade. Then, loaded down like pack mules with all of our equipment, we made our way out to the planes.”

In this video, Pfc. Lawrence Kepler talks about his beloved LTC Wolverton.

Wolverton checks his right hand man 1st Lt. Bobuck's equipment on June 5th, 1944.

Bobuck and Wolverton prepare for D-Day.

Bobuck and Wolverton prepare for D-Day.

Lieutenant Colonel Wolverton (middle) ready for his D-Day jump.

Wolverton's stick prepare for their D-Day jump. Wolverton is the 6th man from the left (carrying the knife on his right ankle).

In this colorized photo of Robert taken on June 5th, 1944, you can clearly see his West Point ring.

The Jump into Normandy

A recreation of the C-47 "Stoy Hora" as part of the D-Day Experience museum. in Saint-Côme-du-Mont, France.
Serial 16, Stick #1 (the soldiers aboard the C-47 "Stoy Hora" who jumped with LTC Wolverton) suffered very heavy casualties on D-Day, as they were dropped over a strongly defended area just outside of Saint-Côme-du-Mont. This is an extract from Stick #1's after action report:

Pvt. Jesse Cross - Reconnaissance Platoon - wounded, June 6th
Pvt. Ray Calandrella - Reconnaissance Platoon - POW, June 6th
Pvt. John Rinehart - Communications Platoon - KIA, June 6th
T/5 Jack Harrison - Communications Platoon - KIA, June 6th (Died from wounds.)
S/Sgt. John Taormina - Communications Platoon - POW, June 6th
T/5 Bill Atlee - S1 Personnel - KIA, June 6th
Dr. Stanley Morgan - POW June 6th
1st Lt. Alex Bobuck - Adjutant - POW June 6th
Pfc. Don Ross - S3 Planning and Operations - POW June 6th
Sgt. Joe Gorenc - S3 Planning and Operations - POW June 8th
T/5 Charles Riley - HQ Company armorer - POW June 6th

Of his D-Day parachute jump, it is known that Lieutenant Colonel Robert Wolverton's parachute canopy snagged in the limbs of an apple tree, leaving him to dangle helplessly only a few feet from the ground. As he struggled to free himself from his harness, he was machine gunned to death by German troops, who later used him for target and bayonet practice. It is written that when Colonel Wolverton's body was recovered by American soldiers, the beloved commander of the 3/506 had over 150 bullet holes and bayonet wounds in his body.

In their book Tonight We Die As Men, authors Ian Gardner and Roger Day recount the following story about Robert's death:

Joe Beyrle, together with a number of other prisoners (including his company commander John McKnight), had been held in the POW field near Le Ferage since dawn. Just across a dirt track, not too far from his position, was an orchard. Hanging from two apple trees were a couple of paratroopers. Their bodies were swollen and bulged as if about to explode. German reinforcements coming from the direction of Houseville were using them for target practice. With each burst of fire the blood caked bodies twisted in the trees and one man's head was nearly severed. One of Joe's guards came over and gleefully told him that the nearest body was a colonel. Then the penny dropped and Joe realized it was Col Wolverton. He began to cry -- the feeling of loss was overwhelming...

Robert's remains were eventually recovered and sent back to the United States. He was buried with full honors in the cemetery of his beloved alma mater: the United States Military Academy at West Point. Robert was awarded the Legion of Merit posthumously. On November 10th, 1946, the award was officially presented to Mrs. Kathleen Wolverton by Major General Maxwell D. Taylor.

Robert's marker at the West Point Cemetery.

Robert's regimental commander, Colonel R. F. Sink wrote about him: “He was loved sincerely by all of his men and officers. I consider him the best battalion commander in the regiment, and I am sure that General Taylor ranked him similarly within the division. He was a fine person.”

On June 6th, 1946, men from Wolverton's battalion met up again at the Muehlebach Hotel in Kansas City just like their Colonel had joked about two years before. They reconstructed Wolverton's prayer in honor of their lost Commander.

A picture taken on June 6th, 1946 at the Muehlebach Hotel meeting in honor of Robert Wolverton. (Ian Gardner and Roger Day: Tonight We Die As Men.

Robert's West Point Ring

In 1945, at a German POW processing station, an alert US officer with a keen eye spotted a German POW wearing what looked like an American college ring. He ordered the German to remove the ring and to hand it to him. As he carefully studied the golden ring, he realized he was holding in his hand LTC Wolverton’s West Point class ring. The ring had been stripped from Wolverton’s corpse, as a prize of war, as he hung from the tree in the apple orchard in Saint-Côme-du-Mont in June 1944. In 1946, the ring was mailed home to Robert’s wife. To this day, the whereabouts of Robert’s beloved West Point ring are unknown.

D-Day Experience / Dead Man's Corner Museum

When I went to Normandy in 2017, I visited the "D-Day Experience". It was a new exhibit at the Dead Man's Corner Museum, that simulates the experience of making a D-Day jump. Before climbing into the C-47, you receive a mission briefing from a life-sized hologram representing LTC Wolverton. For me it was a thrilling experience to be able to see and hear what the soldiers of D-Day witnessed there in England before their departure and their Rendezvous with Destiny. (See "Resources" below for more about the museum)

A hologram image of LTC Wolverton gives a pre-mission briefing in the staging area at the D-Day Experience simulator.

A memorial dedicated to Robert Lee Wolverton in Saint-Côme-du-Mont, France, right across from the apple orchard where he was killed on D-Day.

Resources

You can order the book by clicking here

You can order the book here.

You can order the book here.

You can order the book here.

Yearbooks: Elkins High School 1922, 1930, 1931, 1932. USMA The Howitzer, 1927, 1938.
Websites: https://www.westpointaog.org/memorials, www.wikipedia, www.ancestry.com. www.e-yearbook.com

Museum: D-Day Experience / Dead Man's Corner Museum, click here to visit the website. This is, without a doubt, one of the best museums in Normandy. Its attention to detail, incredible collection of artifacts and C-47 experience, provide visitors with the best and most vivid reconstruction of the events of the 101st Airborne in Normandy. If you go to Normandy your trip will not be complete without spending a couple of hours at this modern and well thought out museum.

Special Thanks

I would like to give special thanks to Ian Gardner for providing me with help, advice, photos, precious information, documents and support in the writing of this small biography of Colonel Wolverton. I could not have done this without him. Thank you, Ian!