HUFFMAN-ROBERT

Robert E.L. "Chick" Huffman proudly served aboard the U.S.S. Leedstown, a Windsor class attack transport throughout the Pacific during World War II. He got underway from the United Nations Docks in Norfolk, Virginia aboard "The Mighty L" on December 10, 1943 at 1631 hours. On February 7, 1944 he crossed the  Equator for the first time. He would cross it over a dozen times during the war. His travels carried him to Hawaii, Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Guam, Marianas Islands, Russell Islands, Peleliu, New Guinea, Phillipines, Volcano Islands and Tokyo. He was present when Luzon was taken by Allied forces and on February 23, 1945 he was stationed off the island of Iwo Jima, the day the Marines raised the United States Flag. The U.S.S. Leedstown was the most decorated Windsor class ship of WW II and served at the head of the fleet for the last three of the six invasions in which it participated.  "Chick" ran service stations for over 35 years following the war. He married Gladys Brown on December 1, 1946 and they had 6 children. He passed away on Father's Day 2009. He rests in Arlington National Cemetary with his wife.