Skip to content Skip to footer
Menu

Robert R. Vandercar

Home...BiographiesRobert R. Vandercar

Robert R. Vandercar

    Placeholder
    1939LHS Ag Club
The following June 1, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 4:

    S/ST ROBERT VANDERCAR HONORED AT FAMILY DINNER

    S/Sgt. Robert R. Vandercar of Camp Maxey, Texas, is spending a 10-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Vandercar and brother, Wayne and sister, Gladys, of near Crown Point.

    "Bob" as he is better know to his friends, entered service on December 11, 1942 and received his basic training at Camp Van Dorn, Miss., and Shreveport, La., later transferring to Camp Maxey. He has won medals in rifle range, bayonet practice, hand grenades and expert infantryman, being one of the famous 99th division.

    Last Sunday his parents entertained at a family dinner in his honor. Friends and relatives gathered at the beautiful country home near Crown Point, with well filled baskets. A sumptuous dinner was served to about fifty guests.

    Attending were his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Vandercar and Mrs. F.E. Tilton; Mr. and Mrs. Fay Tilton, Verna and Marion, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Tilton, and son John, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Childress and daughter Louetta and sons, Frank, Roger and Kenneth, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Tilton, sons Billy and Donny, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wietbrock and daughters, Carol and Judy, Mrs. Madge Hall and daughter, Mary Lou, all of Lowell; Mr. and Mrs. Keith Dinwiddie and daughters, Ruby and Betty, of Hammond; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Sirois and Carolyn of Lake Village; Mrs. Keith Likens and daughter, Karon, and son Phillip of Cedar Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Dickinson and son, Jimmie, of Hebron; Jim West of Momence; Mr. and Mrs. John Sunderman, Mr. and Mrs. George Vandercar and sons Bob and Wayne and daughter, Gladys, of near Crown Point.

This Lowell Tribune article was found in the February 8, 1945, issue (page 1, column 4):

    S-SGT. VANDERCAR REPORTED MISSING

    LOCAL SOLDIER PARTICIPATED IN HEAVY FIGHTING IN FRANCE

    Mr. and Mrs. George Vandercar, former residents here, who now reside on a farm near Crown Point, were notified by the war department Tuesday that their son, S/Sgt. Robert Vandercar, had been missing in action in France since January 20th.
    A graduate of Lowell high school, Robert had been in the army since December, 1942. After receiving his basic training, he was assigned to training recruits until last fall when his outfit was sent overseas. They landed in France and were soon sent to the front.
    From letters received by his parents, it is supposed he was in the hard fighting that stopped the recent German drive into Belgium and France. No further word was had from him since the letter stating they were holding the Germans on the front where he was stationed.
    According to the telegram, his parents will be notified as soon as possible when the war department obtains further information. In addition to the parents, Robert's many relatives and friends are anxiously awaiting word of his safety.
This May 3, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 1:

    S-SGT. ROBT. VANDERCAR GERMAN WAR PRISONER

    The George Vandercars, former residents here, now resideing near Crown Point, received a welcome card last week, a form printed in Frence stating that their son, Staff Sgt. Robert Vandercar, is a prisoner of the Germans. The card, signed by Robert, was mailed on January 27th, just one week after he was reported missing in action by the war department. The message on the card assured his parents and relatives that he is well.
    The latest letter from the Vandercar's son-in-law, Pfc. James West, which was written from a French hospital, gave added information on his battle injury, saying that he had been struck in the leg by a bullet from a German snipper's gun soon after his outfit had crossed the Rhine.
This May 31, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column1:
    A telegram received from Sgt. Robert Vandercar by his parents, the George Vandercars, said he was now in the United States and hoped to be home soon. Bob was reported missing in action in Germany last January, but a card from him soon after, notified his parents that he was a prisoner of war.
This June 14, 1945, Lowell Tribune information appeared on page 2, column 2:
    S/Sgt. Robert Vandercar, Mrs.West's brother, is still in France, according to the last letter to his parents, the George Vandercars. He was awaiting passage by plane to the U.S. Bob told them in the letter that he had been wounded before he was captured and imprisoned by the Germans.
This June 28, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
    Mr. and Mrs. George R. Vandercar were pleasantly surprised last Sunday when their son, S/Sgt. Robert, came home on a 68-day convalescent furlough.
    Robert, who was a German prisoner from January 20, 1945, until May 10, 1945, was liberated by the Americans. He arrived in the United States on the 18th of June.
    The Vandercars' son-in-law, Pfc. James W. West, is also home from the European war theatre. He returns to Battle Creek, Mich., July 6th.
    Robert returns to a rest camp in Florida on Sept. 1st.
This September 6, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
    Sgt. Robert Vandercar left Tuesday for Miami, Fla., where he will be assigned to further duty.
Last updated on December 7, 2007.

Return to World War II Veterans
Return to Biographies