I am the great-niece of Bob Whitman.  He was the younger brother of my Grandmother who will turn 90 next year....just 1 week after July 30th.  I was at the opening of the WWII memorial in 2004 and it was breathtaking.  I was near tears just looking at all the names of the fellow mates of my Uncle who did not make it.  I met a survivor who was wearing his original uniform!  He said he knew of my Uncle...I could not believe it.  I would love to hear from anyone who knew my Great-Uncle.  I do not have any information on him other than he was a very nice man and very young (18) at his untimely death.  My Grandmother has trouble talking about him.  I wish I knew him.  His death put a black cloud over our family and my Great Grandparents, who adored him.

My Daddy was the brother of S1 Robert E. Kollinger. My Dad passed away in 1982 and it wasn't until later that I learned about the circumstances of his big brother's death. I just know that my Dad also joined the Navy, I don't even know if it was during the war. From what I now gather, the circumstances so disturbed his family that it was never discussed. I feel so badly now that I did not try to draw my Dad out to talk about it. My mother told me that that he was heartbroken over Bobby's death, more so because of the Navy's failures regarding the Indianapolis and her crew. The heroism and tragedy still sadden me greatly.

-- Edited by BobbysNiece at 04:43, 2007-07-30

I am sorry I don't know your name.  How sweet of you to write.  I have heard that he made everyone get off the boat before him. It breaks my heart that I did not know him but my grandmother tells me he was the favorite ( in my family that was pretty good).  I do know that military came to my Great Grandparents house and "gave them the news".  I think my grandmother was almost 10 at the time but I might have the years mixed up. I am 42 and the oldest of all the grandchildren of my grandmother who was the sister of Bobby (Bob, Robert) Whitman.  I am glad to hear he was well thought of.  Perhaps you can do more  digging...you really should see the memorial in Washington.
thank you!
regards,
Miriam Buttrick