PFC Robert John Prew, USMC

PFC Robert J. Prew, USMC

On June 15, 1944, roughly 70,000 American soldiers from the 27th Infantry Division and marines from the 2nd Marine Division and 4th Marine Division landed on the Japanese-occupied island of Saipan in the Marianas Islands in what would come to be known as the Battle of Saipan. Allied commanders wanted to use Saipan as a base from which long-range B-29 Superfortress bombers could reach mainland Japan. The invasion force landed on the west side of the island, which was heavily defended by Japanese forces. Well-placed barbed wired fences and trenches maximized U.S. casualties during the landing; however, U.S. forces established a beachhead by the evening of June 15 and forced the Japanese into a long retreat to the mountainous center of the island where they hid in caves and attacked U.S. forces at night. On July 7, when the Japanese defenders could retreat no further, they made a large, suicidal Banzai charge against American lines. More than 650 U.S. troops and at least 4,300 Japanese soldiers died in this final attack. The Battle of Saipan ended on July 9, 1944.

Private First Class Robert John Prew, who hailed from New York, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served with distinction in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. Tragically, he made the ultimate sacrifice on July 7, 1944, during the Battle of Saipan. After years of waiting, his remains have now been recovered and positively identified. Private First Class Prew will receive a dignified interment with full military honors at Fort Myer and Arlington National Cemetery.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, August 1, 2024, 10:30 am at Old Post Chapel - Fort Myer. Interment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery.

Please enter via FORT MYER HATFIELD GATE, 29 Carpenter Rd, Fort Myer, VA 22211, between  9:00 am and 9:30 am. All attending will require a government photo ID, such as driver's license at the security station. You cannot enter Fort Myer directly from Arlington Cemetery Gate.

We invite you to join us in honoring the life of our loved one on this dedicated webpage. Your condolences, stories, and pictures will be greatly received by the family and will provide comfort during this difficult time.

Care entrusted to Thibadeau Mortuary Service, p.a., 124 E Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-5009, 301-495-4950, www.InterFaithFunerals.com.

Important Information Regarding Services at Fort Myer Chapel and Arlington National Cemetery

• At least a week before the date of the service, you may go to the website, https://pass.aie.army.mil/jbmhh. You can request a pass for the day of the service, but you must do it immediately. (This will make it easier for you the day of the funeral.) You will receive an email with the pass. You can only do it once for that date. The pass must include a photo; if it does not, the request was unsuccessful. You will need a driver's license to complete this process. You may also get a pass the day of the service – Please arrive early.

• Since the services begin at the Old Post Chapel, please do not enter directly into Arlington National Cemetery Gate. Instead proceed to the Hatfield Gate of Fort Myer Gate, 29 Carpenter Rd, Fort Myer, VA 22211.

• When you enter the gate your vehicle will be inspected at the security check point. If you have not obtained at Pass to enter Fort Myer, you will be directed to a security building. All individuals over the age of 18 must have a valid government issued photo ID.

• After you have obtained your Pass, please proceed to the Old Post Chapel. There is parking directly in front of the chapel. After the chapel service, all will return to their vehicles for the procession to the interment site in Arlington National Cemetery. Before exiting the fort and entering the cemetery obtain from the guard at the gate a pass that will allow you to reenter Fort Myer.