Robert Suttles served on the USS Enterprise. He was killed in action as a result of an enemy (Japanese) bombing attack in the Eastern Solomons. He was buried at sea on 26 August 1942.
Memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery, Philippines
His father was James S. Suttles, who died 20 June 1971 in Knox County. His mother was Sarah Webb, 5th Street, Knoxville.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, 18 Septe,ber 1942
Chief Machinist Mate Robert Suttles, son of Mrs. Sarah Webb of John Sevier, Route 5, has been killed in action, according to word received today by the mother from Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, chief of Naval Personnel. He had been in the Navy five years. Machinist Suttles was at home last at the time of the raid on Pearl Harbor, but left immediately for duty. The family last received word from him in August. “Recovery of the remains is impossible,” the message sent to the mother states. He was 23. Besides his mother, there are four sisters, Mrs. Beatrice Rutherford, Mrs. Vina Barnes, Ruby Mae and Dolores, Marie Webb, and three half-brothers, Lon Goforth, Spartanburg, S.C., and Claude and Alvin Roy Webb of John Sevier.
- Rank: Boatswain's Mate Second Class
- Date of birth: 8 November 1918
- Date of death: 24 August 1942
- County: Cocke
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS Enterprise
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Middle Panel
- Sponsored by: Bobby Clark
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