Robert Mellard

Robert Burnett Mellard (13 May 1919 – 19 September 1976) was an American soldier who fought in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, serving in the United States Army from 1938 to 1959. He fought at the Battle of Monte Cassino and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and his unit received the French Croix de Guerre.

US Army service
Mellard joined the United States Army in 1938 and his unit was Company D, 32nd Infantry Division at Fort Ord. During World War II, he was a platoon sergeant for the Third Infantry Division. Mellard was stationed in Africa but spent much of his time in battle throughout Europe in Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. During combat at the Battle of Monte Cassino in Alsace–Lorraine and France, he was wounded on his back, hands and legs from heavy artillery and recovered from his injuries at Letterman General Hospital. Mellard enlisted in the Korean War from April 1, 1951 – May 1, 1954. On October 31, 1959, he enlisted in the Vietnam War as a chief warrant officer.

While stationed in Long Beach, California, Mellard was awarded the Silver Star for his service on January 25, 1944, in Italy. He ignored heavy fire in the line of duty and inched his way 100 yards outside of his infantry battalion, setting up a M252 mortar observation. Within 200 yards of the enemy, Mellard continued to take fire. From his post, he directed mortar fire that destroyed an anti-tank gun, a machine gun, several enemy personnel and took out three motorcyclists. At one point, Mellard killed a German who attempted to flank him.

Personal life
Mellard was born on May 13, 1919, in Hope, New Mexico. Before joining the United States Army at Camp Roberts, California, he completed three years of high school, was an electrical engineer and lived in Billings County, North Dakota. He married Helen Kanski on May 5, 1941, in Olympia, Washington. Mellard left for Europe on October 22, 1942, and didn't see her again until their fourth anniversary in 1945 after traveling from Camp Patrick Henry to Minneapolis, Minnesota. On September 26, 1948, the couple filed for divorce. Mellard married Ida Louise Krast in Thurston County, Washington, on April 22, 1949 and Aileen Cameron on November 1, 1961. He later became a member of the San Francisco Real Estate Board.

Moss Landing auto accident
On July 29, 1940, Mellard and three members of his unit were in an automobile that overturned near Moss Landing, California. He was a passenger and was treated for serious injuries at a hospital in Presidio of Monterey, California.

Hit and run
On November 8, 1946, Mellard was driving an Army recruiting truck in Oakland, California, when he hit Johnnie Calvin James. James died at the scene and Mellard fled. He reported the accident to his superior officers at Camp Knight and was charged on felony hit and run and manslaughter. He was booked at Oakland City Jail and held on $4,000 bail. He pleaded guilty and a second account of manslaughter was dismissed. He went before a judge for sentencing on December 30.

Death
Mellard died on September 19, 1976, in San Francisco, California. He was buried at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo County, California.