Robert O. Bare

Robert Osborne Bare
Robert O. Bare as Major general, USMC
Born	(1901-06-18)June 18, 1901
Died	September 30, 1980(1980-09-30) (aged 79)
Place of birth	Winterset, Iowa
Place of death	Salinas, California
Buried at	Scattered at Sea
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1924-1957
Rank	Lieutenant General
Service number	0-3909
Commands held	Director of Personnel, HQMC 1st Marine Division ADC of 1st Marine Division CoS of 1st Marine Division
Battles/wars	World War II Invasion of Normandy Palau Islands Campaign Battle of Okinawa Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal

Robert Osborne Bare (June 18, 1901 – September 30, 1980) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps, who reached the rank of Lieutenant General. He is most noted for his work as Chief of staff of 1st Marine Division during World War II and later as Assistant Division Commander of the same unit during Korean War.

World War II

At the outbreak of the World War II, Bare served at the Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia and remained there until October 1942, when he was transferred to San Diego, California as Operations officer (G-3) of the Amphibious Corps (later I Marine Amphibious Corps) under Major general Clayton Barney Vogel. He sailed almost immediately for South Pacific and spent next eight months at Nouméa, New Caledonia. Another important assignment came in June 1943, when Bare was transferred to London, United Kingdom and assigned to the staff of Naval Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Naval Expeditionary Force, Admiral Bertram Ramsay. He participated in the planning of the Invasion of Normandy and later observed the British Assault Force "J", attacking germans forces near Courseulles-sur-Mer. Bare compiled the notes and sketches of his observations and incorporated these intelligence informations into his report. He was later decorated with Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for his service in this capacity.

Colonel Bare was transferred back to the Pacific theater in October 1944 and assigned to the staff of 1st Marine Division. He participated in the final phase of the Palau Islands Campaign and succeeded Colonel John T. Selden as Division Chief of staff at the beginning of November 1944. Bare was appointed to this capacity following the Battle of Peleliu, where 1st Division suffered heavy casualties. New Division commanding general, Pedro del Valle, tasked Colonel Bare with the supervision of the re-equipping and training, which effected a virtual reorganization of the division.

Following the five months of training, 1st Marine Division participated in the Battle of Okinawa at the beginning of April 1945. Bare distinguished himself again and was decorated with Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his merits during the training of the division and for his service during the battle.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General Robert O. Bare:

1st Row	Navy Distinguished Service Medal
2nd Row	Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and one Oak leaf cluster				Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"				Navy Presidential Unit Citation with two stars				American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp
3rd Row	American Campaign Medal				European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one 3/16 inch service star				Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two 3/16 inch service stars				World War II Victory Medal
4th Row	Navy Occupation Service Medal				China Service Medal				National Defense Service Medal				Korean Service Medal with two 3/16 inch service stars
5th Row	United Nations Korea Medal				Order of the Cloud and Banner, 4th Class (Republic of China)				Korean Order of Military Merit, Ulchi Medal with Silver Star				Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.