Posted on 08/23/2014 1:48:00 PM PDT by bkopto
My uncle Robert Kuhle, 95, died yesterday in Huntington Beach, CA.
He was a kind, unassuming man, who derived his greatest pleasure in being around children. After WWII, he became an elementary school teacher in Southern CA, and all his students followed him like following the pied piper. He was even invited to weddings of his former elementary school students.
In WWII, he was a carrier pilot on the USS Wake Island, an escort carrier, piloting the Grumman TBF Avenger, in the South Pacific. He related one story, in sadness, of being in the takeoff row, and the Avenger taking off just ahead of him suffering some sort of malfunction, with the plane crashing into the ocean just ahead of the carrier. The carrier ran over the downed plane and continued onward, not having the time to investigate as a mission needed to be filled.
He related another story where he and his two crew members got lost, so he landed his plane on some unknown island, regained his bearings some time later, taking off and safely refinding his carrier.
He piloted his plane over Iwo Jima in Feb 1945, bombing and rocketing the Japs there.
He never did seem to enjoy telling of his WWII exploits, always trying to change the subject; his involvement in WWII deeply affected him.
Robert Kuhle, with his wife Vivian, in Seattle WA, 1955:
On the deck of the USS Wake Island, 1945: 
Rest in Peace Robert Kuhle. Your Country is forever grateful.
Very nice tribute to your uncle, thanks for posting.
Rest in Peace, Naval Aviator Kuhle.
I appreciate his faithful service. RIP to that fine man.
Thank you for sharing a very nice tribute. RIP to your Uncle.
My condolences; it’s sad to see our country lose another of its finest. God bless.
Indeed. A beautiful woman with elegant style and a husband with movie star good looks.
RIP, Mr. Ruhle. Thank you for your service, Sir.
Those two look better than any couple in Hollywood today.Seriously.
"...I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth … and touched the face of God".
In the last couple of years I have been reading a lot of original history of WWII.
I think the thing which impressed me most was just how good they were at their jobs. I mean these guys were not messing around. They were also brave and fine people.
I think the depression was what toughened them to hard work.
“In my lifetime I will probably witness the passing of the last WWII Vet.”
That will probably be 2050 or later. I hope you make it.
I agree entirely. There is a definite air of self-assuredness, manliness and quiet confidence in Mr. Kuhle’s whole bearing and in Mrs. Kuhle’s there is style, beauty, poise, elegance and quiet charm. The very definition of a lady. When this couple entered a room every head turned in their direction.
God bless your Uncle Robert. May he rest in peace.
Any island with a landing strip was occupied by either the Japanese, Americans, or Australians - so I assume he landed on a friendly island! Also, that's a smashing pic of him and his wife. Beautiful couple. Basic class and good taste seemed to be to a commonly accepted goal of nearly all Americans of his generation. RIP
RIP Robert. Thank you for sharing this.
Yes, a truly beautiful couple! The Lord has prepared a place for him, and her as well.
My Dad was the same way. As a kid I would ask him what he did in the war and his answer was always the same "I just sat around and shot birds" and then would change the subject. Another thing I noticed he would immediately dislike any man that would wear anything that would advertise his service, like a ball cap. The disabled vet license plates upset him too. He would say that guy is no hero, only the ones that didn't come home were the hero's. Rest in Peace to your uncle.
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