Capt. Robert Frank Lange was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 16, 1920, to Frank N. Lange and Elsie Saager-Lange and had two sisters. His family resided at 711 South Second Avenue, Maywood, Illinois, and graduated from Emerson School and Proviso Township High School in 1940. He attended Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois, for two years, and then worked at the Joslyn Manufacturing & Supply Company as an assistant purchasing agent.
On July 1, 1941, he registered with Selective Service and named his father as his contact person. Robert was inducted in the US Army on October 18, 1941, in Chicago, as an enlisted man, and issued the serial number 36 302 934. Robert was reported at Camp Wolters, Texas on April 4, 1942, attending Officers Candidates School. He married Gloria Swanson, from Hinsdale, Illinois, in El Paso County, Colorado, April 30, 19.43. It is known that he was sent to Camp Sutton, North Carolina, as a private, on June 8, 1943, for technical training as a member of Company K, 472nd Quartermaster Truck Regiment. At some point, he resigned as an enlisted man, was commissioned a second lieutenant, and was given the serial number O-1 285 069. He then joined Company B, 10th Armored Infantry Battalion.
It is not known when the 10th left the United States for Europe, but is known that it landed in France, at the Cherbourg, on September 23, 1944. After landing, it spent month training before it entering combat as part of General George Patton’s Third Army. On November 2nd, it entered combat for the first time, supporting the XX Corps, which was containing enemy troops in the area of Mars-la-Tour. On November 10th, the battalion was involves in the capture of Metz on November 10th. It then went to the Siegfried Line and, on November 19th, led the Third Army into Germany.
The 10th Armored Battalion took part in the Battle of the Bulge when the Germans launched an offensive on December 19, 1944. It appears the 10th had been sent to Bastogne as part of the what was called Combat Command B. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe stated that the tanks were never given enough credit for their role in the battle. It was during this battle that Robert received the Silver Star, on December 26, 1944, for gallantry in action. He may have been promoted to captain at this time.
In February 1945, the 10th resumed the attack on the Germans. Robert was reported wounded on February 3rd. Which apparently was not the first time he had been wounded. It appears that while under enemy fire, he crawled up to a German machine gun nest and wiped it out with his submachine gun. The 10th broke the German lines on the 20th and advanced 85 miles, overran the Saar-Moselle Triangle, and reached the Saar River.
What is known is that Robert was reported missing in action on March 27, 1945, somewhere near Hammelburg, Germany. His wife was sent a telegram.
MRS GLORIA LANGE
911 SOUTH 2ND AVENUE
MAYWOOD ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR HUSBAND CAPTAIN ROBERT F LANGE HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE TWENTY SEVEN MARCH IN GERMANY PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
It was only after the German surrender that details on what happened to Robert was learned. He was officially declared killed in action on June 6, 1945, and his wife received another telegram.
MRS GLORIA LANGE
911 SOUTH 2ND AVENUE
MAYWOOD ILLINOIS
THE SECREATARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I ASSURE YOU OF HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR HUSBAND CAPTAIN ROBERT F LANGE WHO PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION REPORT NOW RECEIVED THAT HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION TWENTY SEVEN MARCH IN GERMANY CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS=
J A ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
The telegram was followed by a letter.
Mrs. Gloria Lange
911 South 2nd Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Lange:
It is with profound regret that I confirm that recent telegram informing you of the death of your husband, Captain Robert F. Lange, O-1, 285, 069, Armored, who was previously reported missing in action on 27 March 1945 in Germany.
An official message has now been received that states that he was killed in action on the date he was previously reported missing in action. Recently provisions were made whereby there will be sent directly to the emergency addressee or the next of kin a letter containing further information about each person who dies overseas in the service of our country, and if this letter has not already been received, it may be expected soon.
I realize the burden of anxiety that has been yours since he was first reported missing in action and deeply regret the sorrow this later report brings you. May the knowledge that he made the supreme sacrifice for his home and country be a source of sustaining comfort.
My sympathy is with you in this time of great sorrow.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General.
What is known is that although most of the German records had been burned, the American Graves Registration Service was able to piece together information that indicated that Robert was wounded and taken prisoner and taken to the POW at Hammelburg, Germany. He died from his wounds on March 28, 1948, and was buried in Grave 15 in the Hammelburg Cemetery in the section of the cemetery where the bodies of other Americans, from downed planes, were buried. His identity was confirmed by his government issued identification tag around his neck and the fact the cross marking the grave had his name, rank, and serial number on it. Robert was buried at the US Military Cemetery, St. Avold, France, in Plot TTT, Row 8, Grave 92, on February 18, 1946.
His wife received another letter from the Office of the Quartermaster General telling her where Robert was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. She was also informed that she would be receiving another letter providing her with her options for Robert’s final burial. A letter, dated October 18, 1947, informed her of where Robert could be buried. She was asked to fill-out an enclosed form and return it to the OQMG in Washington DC indicating where she wanted Robert buried. The OQMG received the form on November 19, 1947, and on it, she relinquished her rights as Robert’s next of kin to Robert’s father. His father indicated he wanted his son returned to Illinois.
Robert remains were exhumed from the US Military Cemetery in St. Avold, on December 8, 1948. They were taken by train to Antwerp, Belgium, and casketed on the December 16th. His casket was placed on the USAT Haiti Victory on April 22, 1949, which sailed the same day. The ship arrived at the New York Port of Entry on May 4th, and remained there until May 11th when they were sent by train to the Quartermaster Corps Distribution Center #8, Chicago. His casket arrive in the center on the 13th.
Robert’s casket was taken by military hearse, with a military escort, to the Paul Senne Funeral Home in Maywood. On May 31, 1949, Capt. Robert F. Lange was buried at Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, Illinois.
