Beightler, Robert Sprague, born 21-03-1892 Marysville, Ohio,
the son of William Peter Beightler (1868-1932) and his wife Joana Sprague Beighlter (1870-1955) Robert had one sister and two brothers, Mary Louise Beighlter Dodge (1901-2000)
Donald Sprague Beighlter (1896-1955)
and Charles Sprague Beighlter (1898-1982) Robert Jr Robert Jr
in January 1943 graduate of the United States Military Academy. Served during World War II as platoon leader in the 511th Parachute Infantry in Leyte and Luzon. Completed two combat jumps and received a Presidential Unit Citation. Chosen to organize and lead the American Relief Expedition to Peru following a catastrophic earthquake in the Andes which killed more than 66,000. Received the Peruvian Cross and United States Legion of Merit for his efforts. Robert Jr died 06-02-2003, age 81 in Contra County, California USA..






Robert Sr was an American military officer and Ohio political insider, engineer, and business owner. In the military, he reached the rank of Major General, and served as military Governor of Okinawa, War Department General Staff, and as commander of the 37th Infantry Division
, the only National Guard General to lead his troops through training and into battle during World War II. In political activities in Ohio, he served as head of the Ohio State Highway Department, President of the Army Personnel Board, Executive Director and board member of the Ohio Turnpike Commission.

Beightler is derived from Bigler. Because some German immigrants were illiterate when they came to Colonial America, the name has been transcribed numerous ways by English clerks not familiar with the ethnic surnames and anglicized, including Beighler, Beigler, and Beegler. He was the son of William P. Beightler, an elected local surveyor, city and state engineer. His father was also the president of the Perfect Cigar Company. His mother was Joana Sprague, daughter of Franklin B. Sprague and a cousin of Oliver Hazard Perry, Governor William Sprague IV












511th Parachute Infantry Regiment
of the 11th Airborne Division, nickname “Angels”
. Despite both father and son fighting in their respective divisions in the Battle of Manila, neither would meet in combat until April in northern Luzon. The had the next casualties during the war: total battle casualties: 2.431, killed in action: 494, died of wounds and injuries: 120, wounded in action: 1.926, missing in action: 11.




Death and burial ground of Beightler, Robert Sprague.






Message(s), tips or interesting graves for the webmaster: robhopmans@outlook.com
Leave a Reply