Robert Rader
| Robert J. Rader | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) |
-Bob -Rook |
| Born |
October 9, 1923 Manchester, Ohio, United States |
| Died | April 7, 1997 (aged 73) |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942-1945 |
| Rank |
 Staff Sergeant |
| Unit |
 Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Relations |
-Lucille Rader (widow) -Donald Rader (son) -Robin Rader (daughter) |
| Other work | Teacher |
Staff sergeant Robert Rader (October 9, 1923 – April 7, 1998) was a non-commissioned officer with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army during World War II. Rader was one of the 140 Toccoa men of Easy Company.
Rader's life story was featured in the 2010 book A Company of Heroes: Personal Memories about the Real Band of Brothers and the Legacy They Left Us.
Youth
Rader was born in Manchester, Ohio. He enlisted in the Ohio National Guard when he was 16. He was given an honorable discharge although he was discovered to be underage. He graduated from high school in 1942.[1]
Military service
Rader enlisted in the army and volunteered for paratrooper with two hometown friends, Donald Hoobler and William Howell.[1] The three were sent to Camp Toccoa and became three of the 140 original Toccoa men of Easy Company, and trained under Captain Herbert Sobel. The three called themselves three hillbillies because they were all country boys. They also befriended William Dukeman.
Rader made his first combat jump into Normandy on D-Day. He also participated in the Operation Market Garden in September 17, 1944 in the Netherlands. He was squad leader of 1st Platoon's 3rd Squad.[2]
Rader also participated in the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne. On Christmas Eve, Rader and Hoobler volunteered for outpost duty as a Christmas present to their comrades.[3] Rader fought with his unit until the end of the war. He was discharged in November 1945.
Rader was awarded medals including 2 Bronze Stars for his actions.[4]
Later years
Rader obtained his bachelor's degree in education in Cedarville College in Ohio.[4] He became a teacher and taught the handicapped at Paso Robles High School in California for more than thirty years.[5] He met Lucille when he was in California and the two got married in February 14, 1953.[6]
Rader died on April 7, 1997. A few years after his death, the people of Paso Robles had the 13th Street bridge over the Salinas River renamed the Robert J. Rader Memorial Bridge in Rader's honor.
References
- 1 2 Brotherton (2010), p. 138
- ↑ Ooms (2013), p. 51
- ↑ Brotherton (2010), p. 141
- 1 2 Brotherton (2010), p. 142
- ↑ Ambrose (1992), Chapter 19
- ↑ Brotherton (2010), p. 143
Bibliography
- Ambrose, Stephen E. (1992). Band of Brothers: Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7434-6411-6.
- Brotherton, Marcus (2010). A Company of Heroes: Personal Memories about the Real Band of Brothers and the Legacy They Left Us. Berkley Caliber. ISBN 978-0-425-23420-4.
- Ooms, Ronald (2013). Silver Eagle: The Official Biography of 'Band of Brothers' Veteran Clancy Lyall. Pneuma Springs Publishing. ISBN 9781782282648.