Neill, Robert J.

Description

Robert James Neill was born in New York City March 21, 1920 to James and Eleanor Greaf Neill. He was raised and educated in the Bronx. His mother would remarry and become Eleanor Bergman and in Rye his families address remains unknown. In July of 1941 he listed his occupation as a photographer.

Robert enlisted December 11, 1941 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served for four years as a radio operator in the 4th Armored Division and rose to the rank of sergeant.

Sgt. Robt. J. Neill Awarded Bronze Star WITH THE FOURTH ARMORED DIVISION IN FRANCE

Sergeant
Robert J. Neill, 24, son of Mrs.
Eleanor Sergmann, Rye, radio operator, has been cited for meritorious
achievement in combat and awarded
the Bronze Star Medal by Major General John S. Wood, commanding the
Fourth Armored Division.

The citation follows: “For meritorious service in maintaining radio communication on a 24-hour basis during
the fighting in Normandy for a period
of 70 days without any break in communications or relief for the radio
operator. Sgt. Neill continued to
operate his radio during enemy strafing and shelling. His courageous conduct and devotion to duty reflects
great credit to himself and to the military service of the United States.”

Inducted into the Army on December 11, 1941, Sgt. Neill has been overseas a year with the Fourth Armored
Division

Friday, December 15, 1944 THE RYE CHRONICLE PAGE SEVEN

The 4th Armored Division was a distinguished armored division of the United States Army that gained fame as the spearhead of General George S. Patton’s Third Army in the European theater during World War II. Known unofficially as the “Name Enough” division, after its commander stated “Fourth Armored Division was name enough” and “They shall be known by their deeds alone”, it was highly regarded for its speed and aggressive tactics.

The division was activated on April 15, 1941, at Pine Camp, New York. It underwent extensive training across the United States before deploying to England in late 1943 to prepare for the Normandy invasion.
Operation Cobra and the Dash Across France: Landing in Normandy in July 1944, the 4th AD played a central role in Operation Cobra, the breakout from the Normandy beachhead. It spearheaded the Third Army’s rapid drive across France, covering hundreds of miles, cutting off the Brittany Peninsula, and flanking Nancy in a campaign noted for its speed and mobility.

Battle of the Bulge: During the German Ardennes offensive in December 1944, the 4th AD was ordered north to relieve the surrounded 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne, Belgium. Elements of the division broke the siege on December 26, 1944, a pivotal moment in the battle.
Liberation of Ohrdruf: On April 4, 1945, the 4th AD and the 89th Infantry Division liberated Ohrdruf, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp. It was the first Nazi concentration camp liberated by U.S. troops, and the horrors witnessed there prompted General Eisenhower to tour the camp personally and ensure the atrocities were documented.

Robert was honorably discharged on October 15,1945. He returned home and in 1950 was living with his mother and stepfather in Mamaroneck, NY. At the time he was employed as an Elevator operator at a hotel.

At some point he met and married his wife Hilkka who died in 2012.

Robert James Neill, 82, died May 9, 2002 he was interred at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.

As of November 24, 2025, we have no further information on this veteran.