Army Badge
  • Name: Robert David Lipsett
  • Location of Birth: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: December 6, 1908
  • Date of Death: KIA September 19, 1944
  • Parents: David Lipsett & Elizabeth (McElwee) Lipsett
  • High School and Class:
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: T SGT (Technical Sergeant)
  • Branch: Army
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: June 1942
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge:
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:
    Purple Heart
    Silver Star

  • Military Highlights:
    WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
    State: Minnesota
    Name: Robert David Lipsett
    Race: White
    Age: 31
    Birth Date: December 6, 1908
    Birth Place: Grand Rapids, Minnesota, USA
    Residence Place: Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
    Registration Date: October 16, 1940
    Employer: Itasca Construction Co., Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota
    Weight: 160
    Height: 5-10
    Complexion: Ruddy
    Eye Color: Brown
    Hair Color: Brown
    Next of Kin: Arthur Leo Lipsett, brother, Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota

    Robert Lipsett married Elfie Sjodin in Minnesota in 1942.

    Newspaper article: Itasca Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - October 19, 1944 - "ROBERT LIPSETT, ARBO, KILLED IN ACTION - Mrs. Robert Lipsett has been informed by the War Department that her husband T/Sgt. Robert Lipsett was killed in action the 19th of September in the Palau Islands. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Dave Lipsett, for many years residents of Arbo township. He had been in service more than two years, since June of 1942. Surviving, besides his wife, who lives in Brainerd, are three brothers, Philip, who served 33 months in the Aleutians and is now at Fort Bliss, Texas, Arthur and James; and two sisters, Preppa of Duluth, and Margaret, who is Mrs. H. B. Wilson of Columbus, Ohio. The family is an old one in Itasca county. Memorial services were conducted yesterday afternoon by the American Legion at the Church of God in Grand Rapids."

    T/Sgt. Lipsett is buried in Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Manila, Philippines (Block N, Row 13, Grave 57).

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Newspaper article: 1944 - "HONOR HIS MEMORY - T/Sgt. Robert Lipsett, formerly from Arbo township, but who was killed in the Central Pacific area on September 19, is to have a road named after him. This road, to be known as the "Robert D. Lipsett Drive", is located on the remote Angaur island in the Palau group, where Sgt. Lipsett lost his life while trying to save a wounded comrade. Sgt. Lipsett, whose widow lives in Brainerd, was scouting in enemy territory with a comrade when they were fired upon by Jap snipers. The comrade was wounded, and fell in the open, where he presented a plain target for the snipers. Sgt. Lipsett left his hiding place and ran to the side of his buddy to administer first aid. He was carrying his friend away when the Japs again opened fire, killing Lipsett. He died, but his buddy recovered. Mrs. Elfie Lipsett, widow of the brave sergeant, has received the Purple Heart award and citation granted posthumously to the young Itasca county soldier."

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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