Biography of Robert Wayne FIELDS 1917-1945

Robert Wayne Fields was born 26 Jul 1917 at the family ranch in Jack County, Texas and died 18 Jan 1945 in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. There is some confusion over his given names. In the 1910 and 1920 Federal Census, he is G. W. Fields or Green Fields (named after his grandfather, Green Washington Fields). However, he was known as Robert Wayne Fields as his military records and social security card indicate. A sister of Robert thinks that his mother probably gave him all four names as she had difficulty deciding. Thus, his name may be Green Washington Robert Wayne Fields.

He was a devoted and the favorite son of his mother, Mary Louisa Tripp-Fields. A skilled hunter and fisherman, he is said to have supplemented the family larder with game during his youth in the Great Depression. From the accounts of his brothers and sisters, he was a natural leader, looked-up-to by his siblings, and often mediated family squabbles.

Robert Wayne Fields served in the army in World War II. He was attached to a regiment of engineers and helped to build the trans-Alaska highway. He met his death during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium by artillary fire.

With great difficulty, his mother, who had five sons who served in the war, persuaded the army to transport his body to Texas. He is buried in the Cottonwood Cemetery, Jack County, Texas.

 

©2006 Mark Fields. This work may be reproduced and redistributed, in whole or in part, without alteration and without prior written permission, provided all copies contain the following statement: "© 2006 Mark Fields. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of Mark Fields."

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Notes

Obituary written for the local newspaper by his mother Mary Louisa Tripp-Fields

"Funeral services for Pvt Robert W Fields were held at the Baptist Church, Bryson Jan 7 [1946?]. Son of Walter and Mary L Fields of Bryson. Robert was killed in the Belgian Bulge Jan 18, 1945. Surviving him are his mother; 6 brothers: Guy L of Graham, Glen of Perrin, Leslie of Amarillo, Edwin, Vydelle and Clyde of Bryson; 4 sisters: Mrs Irene Gilmore of Graham, Mrs Doris Kincaid of ft Worth, Mrs Violet Waldrop and Miss Dorothy Fields of Ft Worth; 3 uncles: LW Fields of Bryson, FW F of Trent - A Tripp of Bryson. Those attending from out of town were Mr and Mrs FW F of Trent, Mrs Lonnie ---- and Mrs Jerlean Cordell of Wichita Falls and Mrs Lily Holman of Graham."