F1c Robert William Apple

Robert William Apple was aboard the battleship Arizona and his brother, James, was on the battleship West Virginia a few hundred feet ahead when Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941.

Robert, a fireman first class, died. James, a seaman firsst class, survived.

The Arizona was hit by three bombs, then a 4th bomb ignited the forward magazines, lifting the front of the ship out of the water before it quickly sank and burned for days. 1,177 men died. The West Virginia was sunk by bombs and torpedoes, but settled upright with its deck above water. 106 men died.

A third brother, Paul, had recently joined the Marines and was a private first class in Seattle.

Robert was born Jan. 4, 1917, in Sterling, Illinois to Frank J. Apple and Rose Anning Apple. The father, born in Austria, served in the 6th Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War. He died when Robert was about six. Frank was also survived by seven other children, ranging from two to 20 years old.

Robert attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Sterling and then Mooseheart High in Mooseheart, Illinois, graduating in 1934. He worked at two Sterling barber shops until he enlisted in the Navy on Feb. 9, 1937.

His obituary described Mr. Apple as “a noble, gallant and brave son, a young man who from his boyhood was characterized by his bright mind, obedience, ambition and love of family.”

His last letter home included a $100 donation for the Mooseheart school building fund

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