Robert H. Brooks
(1915 - 1941)
Marker Front:
Born Oct. 8, 1915, in Sadieville, this African American entered an "all white" National Guard unit before WW II began. As a private in Co. D, 192nd Tank Battalion, he was stationed in the Phillipine Islands. Brooks was killed Dec. 8, 1941, during the initial Japanese bombing of Clark Field, near Fort Stotensburg.
Marker Reverse:
Brooks, at age 26, was officially declared the first U.S. Armored Forces casualty of WW II. He is buried in the American~Manila Cemetery in the Philippine Islands. The main parade ground at Fort Knox was named Brooks Field in his honor on December 23, 1941.
Marker is on Pike Street (Kentucky Route 32) just east of Vine Street, on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
