Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1953 Lucky Bag:

ROBERT ALBERT GONANO, JR.

Coming to Navy as an honor graduate from Greenbriar Military Academy, Bob spent plebe year in constant fear that the first class would discover his past record as a Wheel. “Guano” comes from nature’s air-conditioned city, Bluefield, West Virginia; his occasional telephone calls from there never failed to produce an anecdote about his little brother Eddie. Most of his academic time was spent complaining about “the system.” His main enjoyments up until second class year were the happy days spent in the instruction pool . . . Up! . . . Out! . . . and together! The intense energy Bob put into any undertaking was unbelievable but he proved himself a true and faithful friend to all.

Loss

Robert was lost when his P33 jet trainer crashed near Victoria, Texas, on August 17, 1955. The other pilot was also lost.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Robert’s father was born in Romania and worked in the coal mines in Matewan. His mother Billie was a teacher in the public school.

In the Greenbriar 1948 yearbook: “Bob would like to go to Bluefield College next year. He plans to study industrial engineering. When school lets out (free week-ends and Christmas), racing from school to Bluefield is one of Bob’s favorite sports.”

In November 13, 1948, Robert was a member of the Greenbrier Military School’s “Boot and Spur Club” which was in charge of the Homecoming Dance. In April as Cadet Major, he led the battalion at its retreat parade on the grounds of the Greenbrier Hotel in Lewisburg. At the May 30, 1949, commencement, he won the officers’ medal.

Robert won a Leadership award at Greenbriar in 1949.

Robert’s brother Sgt. 1C Donald H. Gonano, age 19, was killed in action near Kochang, Korea, on July 29, 1950. His funeral was held in Bluefield, W. V., on April 26, 1955. Their sister was Margaret Ann, and brother was Edward C.

His wife was the former Janet Bertram. They named their son Robert, III.

He was survived by his wife, Janet, and their four-month-old son; he is buried in West Virginia.

Photographs

From the 1948 Greenbriar Military School yearbook. Robert was Secretary-Treasurer of the senior class.

From the 1948 Greenbriar Military School yearbook.

From the 1948 Greenbriar Military School yearbook. Robert was 2nd platoon leader Company A.

From ancestry.com