- Born
- Died
- Nickname
- Bob
- Robert C. Barnhart Jr. was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA. He was married to Valmere (Dolly) Kasala and Paula Jeen Gay. He died on December 5, 2012 in Lake Forest, California, USA.
- SpousesValmere (Dolly) Kasala(September 13, 1980 - February 13, 2012) (her death)Paula Jeen Gay(March 24, 1945 - 1979) (her death)
- In 1968, he became CO of the USS Jouett (DLG 29), for which he received another bronze star for actions in the Gulf of Tonkin. In 1970, he moved to London where he was Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Policies for CINCUSNAVEUR. He completed his 30-year career in the Navy as Chief of Staff, 4th Naval District, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- After WWII, he served aboard the USS Harwood, taught NROTC at Cornell University, graduated from the Naval War College and was a Company Officer at USNA. He was XO of the USS Hanson (DD 832) from 1957-1958. His first command was the USS Newell (DER 322) out of Pearl Harbor, HI, in 1958. After a tour at the Pentagon and graduation from the National War College, he became CO of the USS Turner Joy (DD 951) in 1963. On August 4, 1964, the USS Turner Joy and the USS Maddox (DD 731) were attacked by North Vietnamese PT boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. The Turner Joy sank two PT boats during this action, for which he received a bronze star. This attack caused Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson the authority to greatly increase US presence in Viet Nam.
- Went to Valley Forge Military Academy on a trombone scholarship prior to attending the US Naval Academy. Immediately after graduation in 1944, he reported to the USS Astoria (CL-90) as a gunnery officer and saw action at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
- Died at age 92.
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