Robert F. A. Banks.
Robert Fitch Alden Banks was born on November 22, 1887, in Rye, New York, the son of William Mellen Banks and Emma E. Janes. He grew up in Rye with several siblings before later residing in New York City and abroad.
At the time of his World War I registration, Banks was living on Milton Road in Rye and working as a sugar planter, managing his own business interests. He registered for the draft in 1917 and was later enrolled in the United States Navy Reserve Force.
WORLD WAR I SERVICE
On July 20, 1918, Banks entered naval service at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., with the rating of Chief Carpenter's Mate. He served aboard the USS Triton from July 20, 1918, to November 11, 1918.
During World War I, vessels bearing the name USS Triton were utilized in support roles within the U.S. Navy, including patrol, escort, and logistical support duties along the Atlantic seaboard. Ships of this type were critical to maintaining coastal security, protecting harbors, and supporting the movement of personnel and materials during a period when German U-boat activity posed a threat to American and Allied shipping.
As a Chief Carpenter's Mate, Banks held a senior enlisted technical role responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the vessel, overseeing repairs, and ensuring seaworthiness, essential duties for ships operating under wartime conditions. His service contributed to the broader naval effort to safeguard U.S. waters and sustain the war logistics network. He was placed on inactive duty on December 13, 1918.
POSTWAR LIFE
Following the war, Banks continued his business pursuits, including work as a sugar cane importer. He remained unmarried throughout his life and had no known children.
He later resided in multiple locations, including New York, Cuba, and Ohio. Robert F. A. Banks died on July 25, 1969, in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of 81. No surviving family members are explicitly listed in the available records.