Robert Allen Brainerd

Biography: Robert A Brainerd

Robert Allen Brainerd (Bob) was born July 21, 1924, in Canton Ohio. He completed high school, promptly enlisted with the Navy on December 10, 1942 at the age of 18, and was ordered into active duty two days later. Over the course of his service with the Navy, he trained as an Aviation Machinist, trained and qualified as an Airborne Radar Operator, completed instruction in the Naval Air Gunners School (NAGS), trained in aerial gunnery in the PV-1 Ventura aircraft, served on the Bombing Squad 102 Hedron, Fleet Air Wing, FOURTEEN, and began serving outside the continental US in 1944.

He completed training as a Combat Air Crewman, Advanced B-24 Liberator training, PB4Y-1 aircraft training, designated as a Combat Air Crewman and authorized to wear the Air Crew Insignia, served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operation beginning in August, 1945, and served as Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class in the US Naval Reserve. Dad received an Honorable Discharge at the Fleet Air West Coast Receiving Center, Coronado Heights Annex, Naval Air Station, San Diego 35, California, November 6, 1945. He was fortunate to have served with his brother Jim. The two brothers were very close and enjoyed serving time together.

On March 16, 1945, while on a brief leave, he married the love of his life, Marian Francis Haislet.

After his service, he was employed in sales with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Motor Wheel Corporation and lived with his family in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Michigan. Our parents had three daughters: Susan, Loree, and Polly. Dad earned his pilot’s license in 1974, joined the Metropolitan Flying Club, and accumulated as much airtime as he could fit into his busy life. Our dad was a city council member, an avid fisherman, golf fanatic, active in his church, an Ohio State Buckeye football fan, and upon moving to Michigan, a devoted Michigan State Spartan. Most of all, he was a dedicated husband, father, Christian, and patriot.

Our dad died January 13, 1982, at the age of 57 from a brief illness of acute leukemia. While his life was cut short, he packed in a lot of life and love. We miss him dearly and are so proud of his service in WW2. Tomorrow, July 21, 2024, would have been his 100^th birthday.