City of DeLand, FL issued the following announcement on July 30.
We are honoring Hometown Hero Robert Tatum.
Robert is another one of our honorees who we chose to honor in this year’s class as someone who likely doesn’t have family in the area anymore.
Not much is known about Robert Tatum’s life or his time in the military, only that he was a part of the DeLand High School graduating class of 1942.
He would enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after graduating and was sent overseas during World War II. But his life ended only a few months later as he was killed in action in the Pacific Theater, likely as a part of the brutal Solomon Islands campaign of 1942. Tatum was one of more than 10,000 Allied troops who died during the strategic campaign.
He is buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. His name is listed on the memorial at Bill Dreggors Park.
If there is anyone who knew Robert we’d love to hear from you.
Robert’s bravery and selfless action in defending our country makes him a worthy honoree as a Hometown Hero.
Original source can be found here.
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