Obituary of Robert E. Masters

Master Sergeant Robert E. Masters, U.S.A.F; Retired, of North Bush, town of Caroga, died Friday evening, August 18, 2006 at Albany Stratton Veteran?s Administration Medical Center, Albany, NY. He was 82 years of age. He was born June 17, 1924 in New York City, the son of the late Joseph and Madeline Hawkes Mastropaolo. He attended the one room school in North Bush and was a 1941 graduate of Johnstown High School. Bob entered military service in February of 1943, and after Infantry Basic Training at Camp Swift, Texas, he went overseas and joined the 10th Infantry Regiment of the Fifth Infantry Division in Northern Ireland in November, 1943. He landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France on July 9, 1944. The Fifth Division became part of General Patton?s Third Army and fought in five major campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe, Ardennes Battle of the Bulge and Rhineland. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart Medal for wound received near Mety, France in September of 1944. He also received the European Theater of Operations Medal with five battle stars, the Army of Occupation and World War II Victory Medals and the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal. He re-enlisted in the Army Air Corps in February of 1947 which later that same year became the U.S. Air Force. He then served in Japan, Korea, Germany and various stateside assignments for a total of 22 years and retired in 1966. Bob was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans and the American Rifle Association. Survivors include his wife, Madeleine Querbes Masters; two step-children, Jean Dunham and Paul Dunham; two step-grandchildren, Tina Orr Ron and Paul Dunham; two step-great-grandchildren, Amber Orr and Christopher Orr; several cousins and many good friends. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm Monday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St; Gloversville, where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday with the Rev. Claudia Britton officiating. Interment will take place at North Bush Cemetery, town of Caroga. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice