Robert Kenneth Willis, Rapides Parish Louisiana
Submitter: Randy Willis

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Robert Kenneth Willis, Jr. joined the Navy in August of 1939 after graduating 
from Natchitoches High School. He enlisted in the Navy in Rapides Parish, 
Louisiana. He served for 16 months on the USS Arizona which arrived at Pearl 
Harbor on Saturday, December 6, 1941, and was sunk the next day by the Japanese.  
He was the first casualty of Rapides Parish in World War II. The American Legion 
Post in Pineville, Louisiana is named the Robert K. Willis Jr. Post in honor of 
his service and duty ot his county. He is entombed in the USS Arizona at the 
bottom of Pear Harbor.