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<em>Robert Gilbert Lovet</em>t was born 6 February 1899 in Waco, Texas, the son of Thomas and Olive Lovett. Before his fourth birthday the family moved to San Diego, California, and it was from there he was appointed by the Representative of the 11th Congressional District of California to the United States Military Academy. Bob adjusted well to cadet life. He wore a gold star for excellence in academic work, wore the chevrons of corporal, sergeant and lieutenant, was an expert rifleman, a member of the wrestling squad and a participant in the 100th Night Show. At graduation he was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers.</div>
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Before World War II his assignments included duty as a student at the Engineer School and at the Command and General Staff School, as an instructor at the Engineer School and at the Engineer Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit of Oregon Agricultural College, Corvallis, Oregon, with troops in the Philippines, in Hawaii and within the continental United States, and on the civil works of the Corps of Engineers in the Chattanooga Engineer District and in the Gulf of Mexico Division Office at New Orleans.</div>
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It was while Bob was a first lieutenant and a student at the Engineer School, Fort Humphreys, now Fort Belvoir, Virginia, that on 6 October 1923 he married Elizabeth McLemore at Atlanta, Georgia, and in one of the small quarters of the Post known as the "Honeymoon Bungalows," they began what can be truly termed a lifelong honeymoon.</div>
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In December of 1940, Bob, then a major, was charged with the construction of an air base in Jamaica. He completed this task in April 1942, ahead of schedule, while maintaining high morale and producing results of the highest quality working in a colonial possession of the United Kingdom under unfamiliar laws and customs with respect to a large construction job.</div>
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After five months in command of the 94th Engineer Regiment, he was assigned to Headquarters XV Corps. During this assignment he was Chief of Staff of the Desert Training Center in California and was awarded the Army Commendation Ribbon with the following citation: "In addition to active supervision of the immediate and continuous problems connected with the training, administration and supply of a force in excess of 160,000 men spread over a vast expanse, he skillfully coordinated and supervised the planning and operation of a drastic reorganization of the Center as a model theater of operations. By his outstanding service, Colonel Lovett won the respect, admiration and confidence of his superiors and subordinates and contributed to a marked degree towards the successful accomplishment of the mission of the Desert Training Center."</div>
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In January 1944 Bob took command of the 1117th Engineer Combat Group, and in November became Corps Engineer of the XX Corps, The Legion of Merit was awarded to him "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services as Commanding Officer, 1117th Engineer Combat Group, from 2 May 1944 to 22 November 1944. Colonel Lovett’s unit was in close support of the XII Corps and during this period, due to his aggressive action and strict adherence to duty, he contributed materially to the success of the Third Army during its critical period. When the enemy counterattacked, Colonel Lovett used his engineer personnel as infantry and defended the newly constructed assault, timber trestle and pontoon bridges which were of vital importance to our armies.”</div>
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Bob was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for going forward on the night of 18 August 1944 to direct engineer reconnaissance and prepare bridges across the Loire between Blots and Orleans for demolition. This award was followed by the award of an Oak-Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star Medal with the following citation: "Colonel Lovett by his display of tremendous energy and constant drive was unceasing in his efforts to expedite construction. By coordinating and directing operations, and in reconnoitering routes to be followed, he contributed immeasurably to the success of the XX Corps drive across Europe. Colonel Lovett’s genius for organization and unusual grasp of complicated factors reflect great credit upon himself and the Army."</div>
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In a letter of commendation, the Commanding General of the XX Corps wrote to Bob; "Not only was the speed and efficiency with which your men bridged the Moselle at Dienlouard a compliment to your professional skill, but the courage and tenacity with which you defended this bridge against direct enemy fire was a high tribute to your infantry training as combat engineers. I consider that the manner in which you effected the crossing of the 80th Infantry Division was a major contribution to the successful envelopment of the city of Nancy, and to the advance of our Corps to the east.”</div>
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After the war, Bob became the U. S. District Engineer at Vicksburg, Mississippi, with responsibility for flood control and maintenance of navigation for a large sector of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. When he left Vicksburg in June 1949 for duty in the Office of the Chief of Engineers, the Mayor of Vicksburg and the Representative of that Congressional District wrote to the Chief of Engineers testifying to the high regard as an engineer and as a citizen in which Bob was held by the community.</div>
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In the Office of the Chief of Engineers he was Director of Military Supply and Procurement. Here again his skill in organization resulted in an increased efficiency in his directorate that received the commendation of the Chief of Engineers. During this tour of duty Bob was promoted to be Brigadier General.</div>
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In November 1951 Bob entered on what was to be his final assignment. It was to form the East Ocean Division with headquarters at Richmond, Virginia. Its mission was to supervise and carry on to completion the construction of air bases in Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Bermuda, The Azores, Morocco, Libya and Saudi Arabia. In directing these farflung activities he had assembled a loyal and competent staff. One of them has written; “RGL had a very clear and concise way of conferring, nf arriving at a decision and of giving instructions. He was never arbitrary. Everything he did was based on logic. His straightforward character carried with it the ability to delegate authority and tasks and to stand firmly behind this delegation. He never passed the buck.” Another member of the staff, a civil service employee, wrote: "General Lovett was the finest man under whom I ever had the privilege of serving. His technical qualifications as an engineer, his executive and administrative capabilities and his dedication to duty made him looked up to and respected by all."</div>
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Bob went on the Retired List in June 1954. At that time the Chief of Engineers wrote to him; "The East Ocean Division which you have commanded for the last three years has had one of the toughest missions ever assigned the Corps of Engineers. Marvels of construction have been accomplished in the most remote comers of the globe under conditions never faced before in the history of man. Perhaps only your brother officers and civilian employees will ever know and fully realize the magnificent task you have done under the most difficult circumstances. You have eminently distinguished the dual role required of an officer of the Corps of Engineers as both an Engineer and a Soldier. You will never he forgotten as one of our finest Engineer Troop Commanders of World War II. The courage you displayed and your disregard of danger is already legendary among the younger officers of our Corps.”</div>
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Very shortly after going on the Retired List Bob joined Rader and Associates, a firm of consulting engineers in Miami, Florida, and remained with it until a couple of years before his death. He and Bess then established their first permanent home in a commodious house in a suburb of Miami. This home was later supplemented by a summer home in the mountains of North Carolina. They were both active in the social life of the community. Bob was a director of Big Brothers of Miami, a member of the Army and Navy Club of Coral Gables, the Century Club of Coral Gables, the West Point Society of Miami and several professional societies. He is survived by his beloved wife Bess and by their daughter Libby, the wife of Dr. W. Emmett Wilkinson of Baltimore, Maryland.</div>
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