SHARP-ROBERT

Robert Sharp Jr. was reportedly born on May 6, 1890, in Lancashire, England.  In 1897 he emigrated with his family to the United States and the family eventually settled in Norfolk, Virginia.  On July 24, 1917, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve at Norfolk and was assigned to the Naval Base at Cherrystone Island, Virginia.  Historical records reflect that during the latter part of World War One, Sharp was assigned to the armed guard detachment aboard the steam merchant ship SS William A. McKenney.  He was released from active duty on March 27, 1919, with the rate of Electrician’s Mate First Class.  Shortly thereafter he married and settled in New Jersey where he and his wife raised two children.  On January 8, 1948, Sharp died of a heart attack and was buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Burlington County, New Jersey, where his memorial marker carries the inscription:  ELECTRICIAN FIRST – USNR – WORLD WAR I.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)