Robert Reade Thruston, Jr.

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1930 Census
Name: Robert R Thruston
Birth Year: abt 1915
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Virginia
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1930: Ware, Gloucester, Virginia
Attended School: Yes
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Able to Speak English: Yes
Household Members:
Name Age
Robert R Thruston 50
Caroline Z Thruston 42
Emily L Thruston 19
Sarah R Thruston 18
Robert R Thruston 15
Jacquelin F Thruston 11
Stephen F Thruston 8
Virginia C Thruston 6
Giles B Thruston 5

1940 Census
Name: Robert Thruston
Age: 28
Estimated birth year: abt 1912
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Virginia
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Grafton, York, Virginia
Farm: Yes
Inferred Residence in 1935: Magnolia, Virginia
Residence in 1935: Magnolia, Virginia
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Occupation: Truck Driver
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: $10
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 2nd year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 20
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 20
Income: $500
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
Name Age
Robert Thruston 28
Beatrice Thruston 29

Birth:
Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: Robert Reade Thruston Jr
SSN: 224031200
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 2 May 1914
Birth Place: Clopton, Virginia
Father Name: Robert R Thruston
Mother Name: Caroline Oliver
Death Date: 12 Jun 1989
Type of Claim: Original SSN.
Notes: Nov 1936: Name listed as ROBERT READE THRUSTON JR; 21 Jun 1989: Name listed as ROBERT R THRUSTON

Buried:
Memorial:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=74348044&ref=acom

Probably he is buried in Fairfax Memorial Park, where his wife is buried.

Died:
Virginia, Deaths, 1912-2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia.
Name: Robert R Thruston
Death Date: 12 Jun 1989
Death Place: Fairfax Co. Va

Social Security Death Index
Name: Robert R. Thruston
SSN: 224-03-1200
Last Residence: 22030 Fairfax, Fairfax City, Virginia
BORN: 2 May 1914
Died: 12 Jun 1989
State (Year) SSN issued: Virginia (Before 1951)

Robert married Beatrice Virginia Rowe 29 Aug 1939, Staunton, VA. Beatrice (daughter of Amos Sylvester Rowe and Sadie Frances Nicely) was born 15 Nov 1919, Augusta Co. VA; died 14 May 2014, Waynesboro, VA; was buried , Fairfax Memorial Park, Fairfax, Fairfax Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

MILITARY DATA
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: W1
Rank: Warrant Officer
ID No: W3151978
MOS: 062B: Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Length Service: 04
Unit: 117TH AHC, 145TH AVN BN, US ARMY SPT CMD VIETNAM, MACV

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 09/15/1964
Incident Date: 12/18/1964
Casualty Date: 12/18/1964
Age at Loss: 24
Location: Khanh Hoa Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Helicopter - Pilot
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land

NOTES FROM THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL

Panel 01E Line 077

Bob,
You had a generous heart and the best spirit. You came back in my memories and we are still great friends. I still have a photo of the car you helped me buy that we drove from Ft Wolters to Ft Rucker.
See you again one of these days. You were a good pilot.
Posted by: Major E Weber, CW5 Ret
Email: airborne@planetmajor.com
Relationship: We served together
Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Bob was killed flying a recon just west of Nha Trang that morning. I was left seat. He was right.
Posted by: P.Cary Shelton
Email: pcaryshelton@gmail.com
Relationship: We served together
Wednesday, August 18, 2010

This ship and crew had been TDY to Ban Me Thuot prior to this mission. I was the CE on this ship. We had flown to Nha Trang. We had an ARVN General and an ARVN Captain as passengers plus two US Army LTCs. The mission was to recon the area around the base. We had just taken off. I'd estimate we were about 2 miles from the airbase and still at a low altitude. A single 45 caliber round came through the windshield and hit WO1 Thruston in the head and killed him immediately. It removed part of his head and his flight helmet. WO1 Phillip C. Shelton took control of aircraft and landed back at Nha Trang. Recounted by CE E5 Robert K. Paik. [Taken from vhpa.org]
Posted by:
Email: wkillian@smjuhsd.org
Relationship:
Friday, November 26, 2010

Philip Shelton
pcaryshelton@gmail.com
His Co-Pilot 18 Dec 1964
10205 Locklies Dr Glen Allen VA 23060 USA
Saluting Bob
Let the record state that we did not crash-close-but I flew the Huey back to Nha Trang after he was killed. Bob was the only casualty amongst a crew of 4 plus 4 pax.
Aug 2, 2011


Buried:
Memorial with obituary and military records:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=74347923