Robert Louis Couie

Coxswain

Purple Heart

Killed in Action 3 May 1945

  The things I remember most about him was his enthusiasm for life and his ability at sports. He, as most of the boys his age volunteered shortly after Pearl Harbor. They all left feeling that they would be home shortly. As you know this did not happen. After being in service for two years he received a month furlough and came home and had a wonderful time. My Mom and I spent most of the time washing his "whites" so he would be ready to go out again in the evening. After returning to duty, while the AARON WARD was being completed, he went AWOL. He had a premonition of death and did not want to go back overseas. He had the most engaging smile, a great personality, was an excellent basket ball player and a fantastic dancer. He was my "little brother" and one I am extremely proud of. He did not live long enough to reach his potential but I am grateful that he died with good friends like the crew of the AARON WARD..

SUBMITTED BY HIS SISTER, OPAL GANT

"I remember Couie very well. He was often at the midship passageway, just across from the ship’s office, where he expertly blew his boatswain’s pipe and made announcements to crew members, “sweepers man your brooms, clean sweepdown fore and aft, all decks and ladders”. He always had a smile on his face."   –W. Fowers