Robert “Bob” Wayne Srack was born on April 16, 1925. He was born and grew up in Manhattan, Kansas. Bob’s dad, Wayne Amos Srack, was born on December 21, 1903, and died August 23, 1925. Wayne was born in Riley, Kansas and grew up there. Bob’s mom, Samantha Stout Srack, was born on September 5, 1902, and died in 1931. Samantha was born in Riley, Kansas as well and grew up there. Bob had an older sister named Betty Eilene Srack, who was born on September 22, 1923, and died in 2011. She was born in Manhattan, Kansas. After his dad's death in 1925, Bob, his older sister Betty, and his mother, would live with Bob’s grandparents on 1001 Houston St. Manhattan KS, which was his last known address before enlisting. His mother worked as a bookkeeper until she died in 1931. His grandfather died 5 years later when Bob was around 10. His grandmother would live until 1961. Bob attended school at Manhattan High School and graduated there in 1944.

Bob Srack attended Manhattan High School for all four years. He was a very involved and athletic student. He was on the MHS football team, track team and basketball team. He excelled in all 3 sports. He was quarterback for his football team, guard for basketball team and did hurdles and long jump in track. Srack was an all-around athlete, in some football games he would be the only player to score and MHS would take the win. Because of how amazing of a football player, he was and considering that he was also co- captain, he got a honorable mention on the all-state team.

Bob was treasurer of the “M” club, vice president of his class and wrote on the Mentor, the school newspaper. Srack had a great impact on MHS because of his skills, which later helped him during his military career. Srack was a leader, he led his football team to victory, he was responsible and overall was just very strong athlete. Apart from being an athlete, he seemed to enjoy cooking. He was a part of a group of 36 boys that was taught to sew and bake. 

Bob Srack enlisted into the U.S. Marines on June 13,1944, in Kansas City just a month after high-school graduation. He chose to enroll in the marines because he was rejected from the U.S. Navy. Robert enlisted because of the draft for the Second World War. He was a private in the First Marine Division with attempts for higher ranks which were denied. After enlistment, Robert was sent to Camp Pendleton, San Diego, California. After receiving training from Camp Pendleton, Robert was assigned to the First Marine Division, the “Old Breed”, as a private on the U.S.S. Mississippi with military ID number 989165.

His unit handled defense and transportation in Okinawa, a strand of islands off Japan. While in Okinawa, the battles happened from February to May. Bob also participated in the Battle of Peleliu.

At Okinawa, Srack’s unit was attacked by the Japanese, and bombs left many dead and gutted on the seaboard deck. The Second Marine Division also was part of a few successful attacks against the Japanese. During an attack near the end of the war, Bob was shot in the neck by a sniper while carrying a stretcher. As the battle went on, bombs continued to go off, and exploded near many of the dead and wounded bodies. Bob was reported dead on May 11, 1945. He was twenty years old. Even sadder, it is believed he died with his best friend from Manhattan, Colman Eichman.

Bob war first buried in Okinawa, then moved to Honolulu. He had a memorial in Okinawa Peace Memorial Park. On June 2, 1945, Bob Srack’s grandmother, Gertrude, received a letter informing her of his passing. On November 20, 1946, Betty paid $145.42 for his possessions, which included a wallet filled with photographs, a fountain pen, and a Bible. Additionally, on September 23, 1948, Betty received a letter saying that she has been given a Ribbon Bar and a Gold Star label button to serve as a visual reminder of Bob Srack’s military service and achievements. Likewise, Gertrude received a letter informing her that she would be given a Gold Star label button as a memento of her deceased grandchild.

Bob has been honored in numerous memorials dedicated to the veterans of World War II, especially in his hometown of Manhattan, Kansas. The Bob Srack Excellence in Teaching award was established in 1981 to ensure Bob would be remembered for years upon years to come. The award is for outstanding teachers of the Manhattan-Ogden USD-383 school district, given every school year. Additionally, Bob’s name and the 100 other men and boys who lost their lives in the war are listed on the walls of the Peace Memorial Auditorium in Manhattan. 
Although Bob is buried is in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii, he is honored in Manhattan’s Sunset Cemetery. The Gold Star Mothers Memorial is a memorial dedicated to the Manhattan veterans who died for their country in WWII.

Not only is Robert Srack honored in the USA, but in Okinawa, Japan as well, where he lost his life. Dedicated in 1995, the Cornerstone of Peace memorial in Peace Memorial Park, Okinawa commemorates all soldiers who fought in the Battle of Okinawa, regardless of sides. The names of all of the Taiwanese, British, Korean, Japanese, and American soldiers who gave their lives are engraved on black granite walls.

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Written and Researched by Mrs. Doering’s 3rd and 5th Hour Class 2024-25

Photo Courtesy of Peace Memorial

Photo courtesy of Peace Memorial

Photo courtesy of Peace Memorial

Photo courtesy of Veteran's Official Military Personnel File, held by National Archives - St. Louis Branch