Winston Churchill once said of World War Two that it was not a war of princes or chieftains, but of peoples and causes; a war fought by unknown heroes. Here we acknowledge the unknown heroes that Churchill was referring to as well; our fallen heroes as well as those that fought for our freedoms and returned with their memories. We remember and honour in our hearts the Allied heroes, war veterans and all the affected people, who valued freedom in their life above all else.

Robert L. Vetter

A professional baseball pitcher, Robert entered military service July 14, 1943 at Buffalo, NY at 18 years of age. He departed for Europe on May 11, 1944 aboard the USS General A.E. Anderson, and arrived at the Post of Bristol, England May 25, 1944, landing on Omaha Beach D+30, July 6, 1944.

He was engaged in heavy action as his battalion, along with the 2nd battalion, led the charge for Hill 122 in St. Lo, France. He was severely injured on July 15, 1944 in this attack, receiving shrapnel injuries to the skull, brain, and chest. The 134th suffered 35% casualties in two days, including 102 men killed, 589 wounded, and 102 missing. His battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

Robert returned from Europe and was discharged November 17, 1944 from Ashford General Hospital in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia. He returned to baseball, pitching for various minor league teams, including the Auburn Cayugas. On July 22, 1946, he pitched against a young Jackie Robinson, who has just been signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers, and was playing for their Triple A team, the Montreal Royals.

Robert's injuries from the war ultimately forced his early retirement from baseball. He has one daughter, 2 grandsons, and 2 great-grandsons.
~ Submitted by Garrett Smith, Grandson