Robert J. Ginter
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Image 1: Robert J. Ginter in uniform.
Image 2: Letter home. Note the postmark "Atomic Bomb Test - Bikini Atoll"
Mr. Ginter served in World War II in the Pacific Theater.
He attended boot camp at Farragut, Idaho, and Radio School at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. After graduation, he was assigned to LCI (landing craft infantry) Flotilla 21 staff. The flotilla consisted of about 30 of these ships, which were later equipped with mortars to assist troops in landing operations. The operation of these ships was under the command of a flotilla commander, who operated off of a LC(FF) [landing craft flotilla flagship] along with his staff and the regular crew of the ship.
The flotilla supported landings at Iwo Jima and Okinawa and remained at Okinawa until the island was secure, about three moths later, serving in various capacities. Then they went to Pearl Harbor for repairs, and the war ended while they were there.
At this point, Mr. Ginter was sent to the Philippines, assigned to an LCI that transported Allied troops off of various islands and Japanese prisoners to Manila for processing.
After returning from leave, he was assigned to the USS Panamint (AGC-13), which, along with the USS Appalachian, was assigned to observe the atomic bomb tests at Bikini island. The Panamint had foreign observers aboard, and the Appalachian, the news media. The dignitaries had special eyewear to observe the blasts. The crews, who were off duty, were topside, kneeling, heads down and eyes covered. There were two tests, the first from the air, and about two weeks later an underwater test.
Mr. Ginter received an honorable discharge in December 1946 with the rank of Radio Operation 2nd Class, earning the American Theater Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with two stars (Iwo Jima and Okinawa), the Good Conduct Medal, and the American Victory Medal.
Mr. Ginter was born in 1925 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Josephine and Christine Ginter. He moved to Owatonna, Minnesota, was raised there, and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1943. He joined the U.S. Navy out of high school.
Source: Interview with Veterans’ Memorial Hall staff
