Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Winfred
Earl
Robb
April 6, 1889

–

August 28, 1963

Cemetery:

Crestlawn Memorial Park

Winfred Robb was a minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), pastoring Des Moines, IowaÕs Independent Evangelical Congregation, the First Federated Church, before enlisting in the Army to serve as a chaplain in World War I. After the war he returned to his former parish. He gained notoriety for conducting graveside services for many Iowa servicemen shipped home from Europe. He also authored “The Price of our Heritage”(1919), American Lithography and Printing Company, Des Moines, Iowa. In 1920 he was elected sheriff of Polk County, Iowa, and gained notoriety for the widely-reported hanging of convicted killer Eugene Weeks. He also gained fame for his enforcement of the Prohibition Law, however he wound up with troubles of his own, leading to his resigning in 1923. He moved to California, pastoring the Bedford Christian Church, and was pastor of the Arlington Christian Church in Riverside at the time of his death.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    168th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 26 – August 2, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 99 (1918)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Winfred Earl Robb, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, throughout the advance across the River Ourcq, northeast of Chateau-Thierry, France, July 26 to 2 August 1918. During the pursuit of the enemy by the 168th Infantry across the River Ourcq, Chaplain Robb distinguished himself by his bravery under fire. During all of this time, and particularly during the operations near Sergy, he showed the greatest coolness under severe artillery fire in attending and carrying the wounded and dying, and in every way ministering to the needs of the men of his regiment.