Robert Ignacio Menendez

Robert I. Menendez, Jr., age 85, died on March 29, 2011 at his home. He was born June 27, 1925 in Lackawanna, New York to the late Robert I. Menendez, Sr. of New York City and Esther Crawford Menendez of Charleston, SC. He was a graduate of the City of Charleston Public Schools and a 1952 graduate of Clemson College.  He taught at Rock Hill High School, Rock Hill, SC for four years.  He was then employed as an engineer inspector by the Bridge Division of the South Carolina Highway Department and was responsibly engaged in several bridges in the Charleston area including the Ashley River and the Silas N. Pearman bridges.  He left the Bridge Division to work as Field Engineer for Daniel Construction of Greenville, SC and B.F. Diamond Construction Company of Savannah, GA. His last job with a private contractor as a Field Engineer was with J. A. Jones Construction Company of Charlotte, NC modernizing Dry Dock Number 2 at the Charleston Navy Yard. On completion of this project, he was hired by the Southern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Charleston, SC from which he retired as Facilities Planner and Contingency Officer for the Sixth Naval District.

Mr. Menendez entered the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served as a Gunner's Mate aboard the Fletcher class destroyer, the U.S.S. Remey for twenty months in the Pacific Theatre of World War II.  He earned 10 battle stars on the Asiatic-Pacific campaign ribbon, 2 battle stars on the Philippine campaign ribbon, and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for his ship leading three destroyers in a torpedo attack on a Japanese battle ship and destroyer in the battle of Surigao Strait phase of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest and most decisive sea battle ever fought. The three destroyers were credited with sinking both enemy vessels, the first time destroyers were credited with sinking a battleship in the Pacific war.

As Gun Captain on a twin mount 40mm machine gun cannon, his gun would be credited with shooting down a Japanese Zero fighter which made a bombing attack on his ship.  His gun would also shoot down a fighter plane attacking a carrier.

He was a qualified parachutist and gliderman in the Army Reserve. 

He was Past Master of La Candeur Lodge 36. A.F.M.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn Eye Menendez of Charleston, South Carolina; a son, R. Michael Menendez, M.D. of Phoenix, Arizona; three daughters: Victoria Menendez of Charleston, South Carolina, Karen Borger (Bill) of Viera, Florida, Maria Carpenter (Bill) of Helena, Montana; grandson: William Borger of Viera, Florida; sister, Esther Leitch of Fredericksburg, Virginia; one nephew and four nieces.

Funeral services will be at the graveside at Macedonia Christian Churchyard, 1165 Betsy Hole Road, Bonneau, SC, Saturday, April 9^th, 2011 at 2:00 pm.

The family wishes to thank Transitions Hospice for their exceptional and compassionate care, especially to Ms. Karon Holloway, Ms. Mary LoBianco, and Ms. Tina Jewell, Chaplain Nefesh Chaya Beechler, Sharon Hicks, and Dr. Cary Hickman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Roper Heart Center or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.