Robert D Shaffer

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

He did his duty to his family, his country, and his God

Robert was born August 11, 1917 in Vandalia, Illinois, the son of Robert Byron and Hazel Doyle Shaffer. He died September 16, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) in the U.S. Marine Corps, he was educated in Vandalia elementary, middle and high schools. He obtained a scholarship to the University of Illinois in 1935 where he graduated with honors in 1940 with a B.S., A.B. He was a member of Phi Eta Sigma (Freshman honor society) and Kappa Tau Alpha (Journalism honor fraternity). Cadet Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry, President of Scabbard and Blade, Captain of Pershing Rifle Company.

Mr. Shaffer was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps on 25 June 1940. He participated in World War II in the Doolittle raid on Tokyo and the battle of Midway on board the U.S.S. Hornet; Guadalcanal; the Solomon Islands; the battle of Empress Augusta Bay; and the Marianas campaign on board the U.S.S. Montpelier. Commanded 1st Battalion, 3d Marines in the occupation force in the Bonin Islands. Investigated Bonin Islands war crimes and participated in the trials on Guam in 1946.

Attended Advanced Artillery Officers Course at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma 1948-1949. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Commanded 4th Battalion, 11th Marines in the Korean War 1952-1953. Awarded the Bronze with combat V. Graduated with honors from Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas 1956-1957. Retired from active duty in June 1961.

Robert met Betty Hafen at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. He says, “She was the most beautiful young lady he had ever seen”. They were engaged in three weeks and married in three months on 13 September 1947 in the chapel at Camp Lejune. He realized that she was the most important event that had ever happened to him in his life. Unfortunately she departed on June 25, 2007.

After retirement from the military he was employed by Hercules Powder Company at the Bacchus Works in Magna, Utah until 1967. He then joined the Utah Department of Health where he was employed in various administrative positions until 1994 when he retired. He was a member of the Retired Officers Association and Christ Methodist Church.

-Written by Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Robert D. Shaffer

Survivors include his daughters Valerie (Richard) Christiansen of Kaysville, and Leslie (Jaime) Baltodano of Kearns. Also, 6 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

There will be a viewing on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 2:15 PM at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary located at 3401 South Highland Drive in Salt Lake City. This will be followed by a graveside service at 3:00 PM with full military honors.