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“In Search of the Drurys”

On more than one occasion, I mentioned my doubt about the accuracy of all the details, citing my age's contribution to a failing memory, my possible misunderstanding of the original facts, and the obvious differences in the way different people observe events. Proof of my fallibility is emphasized by this account of the effort to find relatives of my good friend, Roberdeau Drury.


Roberdeau and Virginia (before their wedding)	Motivation: I had a conscious desire to memorialize the memory of 1^st Lt. Roberdeau Drury. He was my best friend in the military service, and he was a genuine American hero. In the event that he had few survivors, I had (falsely) assumed that few people would be in a position to tell his story. I, therefore, decided to tell his story as I could remember it. His death in combat was keenly felt by all who served with him. Few of us had heard from his own lips about the events that led our government to award him (posthumously) a Silver Star for bravery

The Search: Over two years before the completion of my memoirs, I started looking for any living relatives of Lt. Drury. The search took several turns. Remembering that Bob (my way of addressing him) had attended some college near his home in Southern Colorado, I located educational institutions in that area. Securing various e-mail addresses for administrators at Trinidad Junior College and Alamosa State, I requested information about registration information from the WWII years. I hoped that their files would turn up the names of family members, whom I could trace down to the present time. I reached a dead end with both schools.

I sought the help of a close friend, E. Gregory Martin, who had grown up in that part of Colorado. I am grateful to Greg who contacted friends of his who might have some memories of the Drury family. No leads resulted from that.

Newspapers in that section of Colorado were searched via internet. I had hoped that I would gain access to old files, which would provide clues in my search. Nothing was gained from that effort.

On the internet, I contacted the "Drury Family Website." I placed an inquiry on that website concerning any Drurys who could direct me to Roberdeau's family. I did receive one e-mail in response. It came from a man in Alabama, who said that his grandfather, Roberdeau Wheat Drury, had died in Alabama at a very old age. This writer seemed to know nothing about any Colorado Drurys. I tried to keep that contact alive, asking him to search in his family records for any Drurys who had moved from Alabama to Colorado. He never replied.

Almost two years later, a John Roberdeau Drury contacted me via e-mail. He had been given my e-mail address from a third party with whom he had been in contact, but who was not a Drury. My understanding is that he was in some way related to the Roberdeau family, which at some time had intermarried with the Drurys....

Email dated Wednesday, January 9, 2002: "Dear Barrett, I am John Roberdeau Drury, and my father's brother, Roberdeau Wheat Drury, was my uncle. I understand you served with him overseas during WWII. John Ravilious passed your e-mail on to me, and I am so pleased to hear of Roberdeau from you. If you receive this, please contact me, as I would love to speak to you about him! Look forward to hearing from you. Warm regards, John Roberdeau Drury."

John Drury was convinced that my friend was his uncle, Roberdeau Wheat Drury (not, obviously, the same one I had heard of before.)

Now the search becomes humorous. I have reminded you that I have a fallible memory. There were several facts which seemed certain to me:

In the first place, I had met Bob’s family when they visited him in California. I was mistakenly of the notion that he had only a sister. That fact would rule out a nephew named Drury. Secondly, Bob’s official Army name always appeared as Roberdeau (NMI) Drury. The (NMI) was the Army’s way of denoting that he had No Middle Initial. Furthermore, my former contact, who had chosen to discontinue correspondence with me, saw no way in which his family could be the one I was searching for.

The Attempt to Dissuade John: When John Roberdeau Drury contacted me, he was convinced that my friend was his uncle. I quickly replied...

Email dated January 10, 2002: "Dear Mr. Drury, you are correct in believing that I want to contact relatives of the Roberdeau Drury with whom I served in WWII. He was killed while serving as an artillery forward observer. Unfortunately, former contacts with your family have convinced me that the Roberdeau Drury I served with was not your uncle. The one whose family I am seeking was from the southern part of Colorado. He had attended college in that area, and when I met his family (parents and a sister) in 1943, they were living there at that time. Furthermore, my friend HAD NO MIDDLE NAME. The Army required more than a given name and a surname, so they required him to insert (NMI) meaning ‘No Middle Initial,’ between his first and last names. This could still be a fruitful contact if you can establish any relationship with the Colorado Drurys. I am thoroughly puzzled about how total strangers with the surname ‘Roberdeau’ could be unrelated since Roberdeau is such an unusual name. Let me repeat what I wrote to other of your relatives about the reason for my search. Bob (as I called him) was a genuine war hero. A Silver Star for bravery was awarded to him posthumously. I have details about the action that led to the award, as well as information about how he lost his life, at which point he was also performing heroic duty. Last year I completed a 200-page memoir of my overseas experience in WWII. In it I made many lengthy references to Bob. I have retained a copy for his relatives, and I am seeking them in order to give them that copy. Bob's wife, Virginia, whom I knew, visited my wife and me after the war. She remarried and we lost contact with her, so we cannot find his relatives through her. You will understand, of course, that Roberdeau Wheat Drury, your uncle, is not the Roberdeau I knew. If, however, you could research how the name ‘Roberdeau’ ended up as the given name of my friend from Colorado, you may yet be able to give me a lead which I can use. Thank you for your interest in following up my former inquiries. Sincerely, Barrett J. Whiteley."

John quickly replied to me...

Email dated January 10, 2002: "Dear Mr. Whiteley, I hope you won't write me off so easily. My father, John G. Drury, was from Alamosa, Colorado, and my uncle, Roberdeau Drury, was married to Virginia, whom I met also. Roberdeau absolutely hated the middle name that was given to him, which was Wheat, and that explains his not wanting to claim it. This is the man you fought with, and he was my father's brother! I am named after him, because his father, John H. Drury, who lived in Alamosa, told my father, John G. Drury, to name his next son after ‘Bob’ who was killed in France. My father agonized over this because Bob so thoroughly despised his middle name Wheat. They decided on using John as the first name because of a long line of Johns in the family, and made my middle name Roberdeau after Roberdeau. I am very proud of the name and that he made the ultimate sacrifice. I visited his gravesite in France in 1991. I have a printed record of the 191st Field Artillery Battalion during that time. I also have his Silver Star and Purple Heart medals. He was a forward observer for targeting and was killed 25 September 1944 at Arra Court, France. I think that this is indeed the Roberdeau you served with and I would love to hear more about him and see your memoir. I look forward to your reply. Regards, John R. Drury."

At John's request, I called him by phone. He clinched his argument by reading to me a letter he had in his possession which I had written to his Aunt Virginia at the time of Bob's death...

Excerpt from letter to Virginia from Lt. Barrett Whiteley, dated December 18, 1944: "Of what you speak: I cannot find it a realism either. None of us have as yet, Virginia -- there is no evidence that we shall. 107 faithful hearts within C Battery feel as I do about that, and all would like to say as much, but dare not. Wonderful praises have been spoken -- even greater words are left unsaid -- but deeply felt."

This interchange is priceless in itself, as I tried to send John away, and he refused to be sent away.

Barrett and Eleanor Whiteley (left) John and Pat Drury (right)

Happy Ending: I am thrilled that John Roberdeau Drury's persistence paid off. My goal of making my memoirs available to Bob's relatives has been accomplished. After several months of correspondence, John and his wife Pat visited with Eleanor and me on April 27, 2002. With tears in my eyes, I stood in my living room and held in my hand the Silver Star which was so deservedly won by my good friend of long ago. It was a moment I shall never forget.

John Roberdeau Drury receiving his
    copy of Barrett Whiteley’s WWII
    memoirs, “On the Way!”

John Drury showing Barrett Whiteley his mementos of his uncle, Lt. Roberdeau Drury, which included his Silver Star and Purple Heart medals

Together with allowing me that privilege, Bob’s nephew and namesake showed me pictures of Bob’s grave in an American Military Cemetery in France. I was pleased to see how beautifully and lovingly our Nation maintains that beautiful resting place for the remains of our heroes of WWII.

Lt. Drury’s Gravesite in France

Partial View of Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, near St. Avold, Moselle, France

My search was complete! A caring and proud relative of Roberdeau “(NMI)” Wheat Drury is now the custodian of my WWII story, which includes the memorializing of this true American hero.

After the visit, John had this to say... Excerpt from e-mail dated Tuesday, May 7, 2002: "Dear Barrett and Eleanor, Firstly, let us thank you so much for the fine day we had at your home in Fresno. So great to meet you both and granddaughter Kris and her lovely family. Also enjoyed speaking to Kim. You must be very proud! The memoir is really great and so well put together. I'm so delighted we found each other and I now know so much more about Uncle Roberdeau, and about you and your family. As Shakespeare said, 'All I can say is THANKS and THANKS and EVER THANKS....'"

I am delighted, also, that my granddaughter, Kimberly Watkins, who had labored so long and lovingly to produce the book of memoirs, has chosen to add a section about my friend, Lt. Drury. I regret that many of the delivered copies will not have this addition, but it will accompany some of those copies which are retained as archive copies.

Barrett James Whiteley

Fresno, California

Roberdeau Wheat Drury,

An American Hero

I have touched on 1^st Lt. Roberdeau Drury’s heroic actions before. Subsequent research makes it possible for me to put the action that won him a posthumous Silver Star in proper perspective.

In my memoirs you will note that he described this action to me only a few days afterward in non-heroic terms. Bob had emphasized the humor of the moment –- how he thought of himself as a comic figure, with his helmet flying off his head repeatedly.

The True Setting: Lt. Drury was with a tank destroyer unit of the 4^th Armored Division, helping to repulse an attack by some of the newest and best tanks of the German forces. The men in the TD vehicle were partially protected by armor plate. Bob stood IN FRONT of one of those vehicles, underneath the tube of the vehicle’s gun. There was NOTHING between him and the enemy tanks. Bob told me he “could see the tanks.” After-action reports now reveal that those tanks approached to within FIFTY YARDS. (He didn’t tell me that.)

Lt. Drury understood his mission. He was to direct the fire of American artillery upon those tanks. He adjusted the fire of one battery, as was the custom. As soon as he had the fire on the target, more artillery units would have been called into play.

With the best tanks in the German army only a half of a football field away, most men would have sought cover. Bob stayed where he was, continuing to adjust fire. His own words (not spoken with self-pride) reveal that fact. He said that his helmet CONTINUED to be blown from his head as the tank destroyer continued to fire.

The Consequences: A significant victory resulted from Lt. Drury’s brave actions. Some histories record that the fire from that spot (including the firing of both the artillery units and the TD unit) destroyed or disabled from 16 to 20 tanks. The German armor cut short their attack and withdrew.

Lt. Drury’s Silver Star and Purple Heart displayed on the cover of “191st Battalion History”

Soon, more American armor was brought to bear, bringing a complete defeat of the attacking forces.

ONE MAN stood only a few yards from the superior firepower of the 88s mounted on those tanks. That man never questioned his mission, and he played a singular role in a great victory. That man was 1^st Lt. Roberdeau Wheat Drury, who, in an equally brave moment less than a week later, died in service to his country.

Bob did not live to hear that his country honored him with the Silver Star. His relatives and descendants, as well as other Americans, should continue to honor him as long as this record of his achievements continues to be read.

Barrett James Whiteley
Fresno, California, 2004

EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS TO VIRGINIA DRURY FOLLOWING BOB’S DEATH

(Provided by John Drury)

1st Lt. And Mrs. Roberdeau Drury (following the marriage ceremony at Wee Kirk o’ the Heather, Forest Lawn, Glendale, CA)

From Lt. Edward Young, dated 22 May 1945:

“In regards to Bob, I know little except what I have heard about it at the Bn. Bob had been working with the Infantry and had just returned to some Artillery outfit and reported at their Command Post. They were shelled and Bob was unlucky enough to have been hit. I don’t know if he died instantly or on the way to the hospital but I know he wasn’t in pain because the medics administer morphine immediately. He was a swell fellow, a good friend and I am proud to have been a friend of his. If you haven’t heard about the Silver Star Award for him, you can write to the War Department and inquire about it. He was awarded it (the order came out after his death) on an order from the 3^rd Army, I can’t remember the date.”

From Lt. Barrett Whiteley, dated 18 December 1945:

"Of what you speak: I cannot find it a realism either. None of us have as yet, Virginia -- there is no evidence that we shall. 107 faithful hearts within C Battery feel as I do about that, and all would like to say as much, but dare not. Wonderful praises have been spoken -- even greater words are left unsaid -- but deeply felt."

From Mack A. Goddard, Lt. Col. FA, Commanding, dated 5 November 1945, Headquarters, 191 FA Battalion:

“This had to be delayed until now, since release of information has to be carefully guarded, and I am sure you will understand why, but by now I know you will have received word about Bob.

“He was out during an action in Eastern France on 25 September, when we got a call that he’d been hurt. I went up to the place where he had been, but they had already sent him back and rushed him to a field hospital, but he died from a head injury before reaching there. If medical skill or facilities could have saved him, they would have certainly done so, for everything possible was done.

“The service was held the following day at a military cemetery, and you will receive the exact location of it later I’m sure. A Protestant Chaplain conducted the service.”

From Capt. Edmund Murphy, dated 28 July 1945:

“…However, I do know that Bob got it the easiest and best way possible. We were riding high in August on that mad dash across from Orleans. Finally we made our break and jumped across toward the Saar. Unfortunately we were the only ones who got across and we had to hold or the whole offensive would have collapsed in a rush. If we had dropped back then or been forced back across the river, the results would have been disastrous to the whole plan of assault. We held.

“It was while we were engaged in this holding action that Bob got his. We had finally been relieved from the rear, but the Huns were pouring it on in an effort to shove us back. His job was to observe and adjust fire on the attacking Krauts and he was doing a damn good job of it. His men would go through hell for him at a word. He knew his artillery and he was a real man.

“Finally, the Krauts got a line on his observation post and laid on an artillery barrage. All the countermeasures possible were taken but he was hit once and hit hard. The wound did not kill immediately but struck so hard that he really didn’t know what hit him. It was sharp and fast, without pain, exactly as each one of us hopes for, if it must come.

“His men, although one of them was also wounded, applied immediate first aid and summoned medical personnel. A very few minutes later, while in the ambulance headed for the rear, the thread finally parted. There had been no pain.

“There is little that a man can say but I saw men of Charlie Battery cry. That day we lost a man for whom we all had the deepest regard and admiration.”

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