Robert M. Landess Sr.'s Obituary
Born August 13, 1922, MAC graduated from Messick High School in Memphis, Tennessee and joined the Marine Corps in August of 1941 … trained as an aircraft mechanic he would soon be in the midst of what became a historic battle of the Second World War … the battle of Guadalcanal … the first major engagement following the suprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Landing with the 1st Marines in August of 1942 and taking positions at Henderson Field, they maintained the land based operations to launch air attacks on the Japanese and begin the process of regaining control of the Pacific Theater. MAC served with the VMSB-141 attack squadron and endured daily attacks and bombardments from land, air and sea during combat action from August through November … the historic events chronicled in the book “Guadalcanal Diary” and followed by the 1950’s movie of the same name. No sooner than the end of that conflict, MAC was again in service in the Korean War serving aboard the aircraft carrier “Batan” in the famed “Checker Board” squadron featuring the F4U Corsair in support of air and ground offences. His unit supplied air cover in the ordered retreat from the Chosin Reservoir and received a presidential citation for their efforts in the conflict. Escaping numerous life threatening war time events, MAC would return to peace time activites and made the transition into the jet age with the early subsonic class Marine FJ-2 (Fury Jet) serving with the 2nd Marine Air Wing at Cherry Point NC. In the late fifties he flew as Crew Chief in the R4Q-2 Flying Boxcar, VMR- 252 transport squadron also based at Cherry Point NC, providing logistical support operations covering the European theater. In his last overseas tour of duty (1960) he flew in logistical support of actions in pre-war Vietnam. MAC completed his military service, spanning 25 years, as an instructor in the basics of aircraft mechanics in training schools of the Millington Naval Air Station, Millington TN. NOW IN REST AND PEACE BEFORE HIS LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST SEPTEMBER 14, 2017Visitation will be held at Memorial Park on Monday, September 18 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. A private graveside service will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery.
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