Robert Halperin
Encyclopedia
Robert Sherman "Bob" Halperin (January 26, 1908 – May 8, 1985), nicknamed "Buck", was an American competitive Star class
sailor, and Olympic
bronze medalist and Pan American Games
gold medalist.
He was also a college and NFL football
quarterback, one of Chicago
's most-decorated World War II heroes, co-founder of Lands' End
, and Chairman of Commercial Light Company
.
in the 1890s, and died in 1964. His mother, Julia, died in 1976.
He and his wife Margaret had three sons. He lived in the Near North Side
of Chicago, and Palm Springs, California
.
. He was also captain of the football team.
In college, Halperin first played football for Notre Dame
, at quarterback under Coach Knute Rockne
. He then played football for the University of Wisconsin, from which he graduated in 1932.
After graduating college, in 1932 he played professional football at quarterback for the Brooklyn Dodgers
team in the National Football League
, under coach Benny Friedman
. He later coached football at St. Patrick High School
.
Halperin was one of Chicago`s most decorated soldiers in World War II.
He joined the U.S. Navy on March 19, 1942, when World War II started, ultimately rising to the level of Lieutenant Commander
. He trained first under boxer Gene Tunney
, and then in a top-secret program in 1942 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek
in Little Creek, Virgina, along with fellow NFL football players Phil Bucklew and John Tripson
and seven others who made up the first class of what became known as the Navy Scouts & Raiders– the special warfare commando ancestor of what today is known as the U.S. Navy Seals. The three former NFL players were among 1,000 NFL players who served in the military for the U.S. during World War II. The job of the trainees was to locate designated landing beaches at night for amphibious landings, note any obstacles, and guide the attacking troops and their landing craft.
War correspondent William H. Stoneman wrote of Halperin: "His job is to mark beaches for the assault, infantry, a daring, intricate job, calling for as much brain as courage, and barrels of both." He was in charge of 14 scout boats, which were the first to reach shore in Allied landings. Halperin received every Navy theater campaign ribbon, seeing action in the combat zones of Sicily
, Italy
, Europe
(including during D-Day
), North Africa
, and the Pacific
.
He was decorated for gallantry with the Navy Cross
, the Silver Star
, two Bronze Stars, and a Presidential Citation, as well as the highest honor of the Nationalist Chinese government.
In the North Africa invasion in November 1942, he sailed his scout ship from seven miles off-shore in complete darkness to the shore of French Morocco
, located and marked landing beaches with landing signals, guided assault troops to their targets while being strafed by enemy planes, and became the first American in the invasion to capture two of the enemy when he personally captured two enemy officers. In recognition of his efforts, including his extraordinary heroism, skill, courage, and fearless devotion to duty, he received a presidential citation and the Navy Cross.
He received an "out-of-line" promotion to Lieutenant Commander for his bravery and daring in the assault on Scoglitti
on the southeastern coast of Sicily in July–August 1943. He received a Presidential Citation for doing the same at Gela
, in Sicily.
During the Normandy Invasion of the Cherbourg Peninsula, in June 1944 he guided the first two waves of assault troops to the assault beaches, against entrenched strong opposition, and saved two men from drowning. Newspaper accounts called him "one of the first Americans to go ashore in France—perhaps, the first—on D-Day." For his exceptionally meritorious performance of duty, and his "cool judgment and unusual ability", he was awarded a Bronze Star.
He was Commanding Officer of U.S. Naval Unit Six, from December 1944 to September 1945, in secret guerrilla action against the Japanese behind enemy lines in Fukien Province, China. During that time, his team of Americans trained 2,500 Chinese guerrillas to fight the Japanese, planned and executed operations resulting in the killing of 1,300 enemy troops and the destruction of tons of their shipping, and he assisted in the rescue of 16 U.S. fliers. While out-numbered and facing an enemy with superior equipment, he attacked the enemy with ambushes and in pitched battles, significantly depleting their forces. He was located in Chungking, Kunming
, Camp 6, Hwaan, Changchow, Kulangsu, and Shanghai
. He was granted a Gold Medal
in lieu of a second Bronze Medal, for "distinguishing himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct. For distinguishing himself "by gallantry and intrepidity", he was awarded a Silver Star. In addition, the Nationalist Chinese government awarded him its highest honor, the Yun Hui "Cloud Banner
", reserved only for admiralty
.
and the Southern Lake Michigan Fleet. He won the North American Star Championship in 1959.
He won a bronze medal
for the United States in the Star class
(mixed two-person keelboat
) at the 1960 Summer Olympics
in the Bay of Naples in Italy, at the age of 52, together with William Parks
. Their yacht was the Shrew II.
In 1963, he won a gold medal
along with Richard Stearns
at the Pan American Games
in Sao Paulo, Brazil, sailing the Ninotchka.
At the World Championships, it is tradition for the name of the crew member whose yacht has the best total score to be engraved on the Buck Halperin Trophy, named after him.
in 1989.
, the John Hancock Center
, and O'Hare International Airport
.
He also started the company Lands' End
, in the Spring of 1963, with fellow sailor Richard Stearns
, Halperin's close friend Gary Comer
, and two of Stearns' employees.
Star (sailboat)
The International Star is a 6.9 m one-design racing keelboat for two people.The boat must weigh at least 671 kg with a maximum total sail area of 26.5 m . It is sloop-rigged, with a mainsail larger in proportional size than any other boat of its length...
sailor, and Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
bronze medalist and Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
gold medalist.
He was also a college and NFL football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback, one of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's most-decorated World War II heroes, co-founder of Lands' End
Lands' End
Lands' End is a clothing retailer based in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, that specializes in casual clothing, luggage, and home furnishings. The majority of Lands' End's business is conducted through mail order and Internet sales, but the company also runs more than a dozen retail operations, primarily in...
, and Chairman of Commercial Light Company
Commercial Light Company
Commercial Light Company is an Illinois electrical contractor and engineering company, which has performed the electrical work for many Chicago buildings...
.
Early and personal life
Halperin, who was Jewish, was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Aaron, immigrated to the United States from KievKiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
in the 1890s, and died in 1964. His mother, Julia, died in 1976.
He and his wife Margaret had three sons. He lived in the Near North Side
Near North Side, Chicago
The Near North Side is one of 77 well-defined community areas of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located north and east of the Chicago River, just north of the central business district . To its east is Lake Michigan and its northern boundary is the 19th-century city limit of Chicago,...
of Chicago, and Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
.
Football career
In high school, he played football for Oak Park High SchoolOak Park and River Forest High School
Oak Park and River Forest High School, or OPRF, is a public four-year high school located in Oak Park, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is the only school of Oak Park and River Forest District 200....
. He was also captain of the football team.
In college, Halperin first played football for Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
, at quarterback under Coach Knute Rockne
Knute Rockne
Knute Kenneth Rockne was an American football player and coach. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history...
. He then played football for the University of Wisconsin, from which he graduated in 1932.
After graduating college, in 1932 he played professional football at quarterback for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL)
The Brooklyn Dodgers were an American football team that played in the National Football League from 1930 to 1943, and in 1944 as the Brooklyn Tigers. The team played its home games at Ebbets Field. In 1945, because of financial difficulties, the team was merged with the Boston Yanks...
team in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, under coach Benny Friedman
Benny Friedman
Benjamin "Benny" Friedman was an American football quarterback who played for the University of Michigan , Cleveland Bulldogs , Detroit Wolverines , New York Giants , and Brooklyn Dodgers .He is generally considered the first great passer in professional football...
. He later coached football at St. Patrick High School
St. Patrick High School (Chicago)
St. Patrick High School is an all male college preparatory Catholic high school located in the Portage Park neighborhood on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois. Opened in 1861, it is among the oldest continuously open high schools in the Chicago area...
.
Navy career
He joined the U.S. Navy on March 19, 1942, when World War II started, ultimately rising to the level of Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
. He trained first under boxer Gene Tunney
Gene Tunney
James Joseph "Gene" Tunney was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1926-1928 who defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927. Tunney's successful title defense against Dempsey is one of the most famous bouts in boxing history and is known as The Long Count Fight...
, and then in a top-secret program in 1942 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek
Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek
The Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek is the major operating base for the Amphibious Forces in the United States Navy's Atlantic Fleet. The base comprises four locations in three states, including almost 12,000 acres of real estate. Its Little Creek location in Virginia Beach, Virginia totals...
in Little Creek, Virgina, along with fellow NFL football players Phil Bucklew and John Tripson
John Tripson
John Robert Tripson was a professional American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. He played one season for the Detroit Lions ....
and seven others who made up the first class of what became known as the Navy Scouts & Raiders– the special warfare commando ancestor of what today is known as the U.S. Navy Seals. The three former NFL players were among 1,000 NFL players who served in the military for the U.S. during World War II. The job of the trainees was to locate designated landing beaches at night for amphibious landings, note any obstacles, and guide the attacking troops and their landing craft.
War correspondent William H. Stoneman wrote of Halperin: "His job is to mark beaches for the assault, infantry, a daring, intricate job, calling for as much brain as courage, and barrels of both." He was in charge of 14 scout boats, which were the first to reach shore in Allied landings. Halperin received every Navy theater campaign ribbon, seeing action in the combat zones of Sicily
Allied invasion of Sicily
The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, was a major World War II campaign, in which the Allies took Sicily from the Axis . It was a large scale amphibious and airborne operation, followed by six weeks of land combat. It launched the Italian Campaign.Husky began on the night of...
, Italy
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
, Europe
European Theatre of World War II
The European Theatre of World War II was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe from Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of the war with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945...
(including during D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
), North Africa
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
, and the Pacific
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
.
He was decorated for gallantry with the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
, the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, two Bronze Stars, and a Presidential Citation, as well as the highest honor of the Nationalist Chinese government.
In the North Africa invasion in November 1942, he sailed his scout ship from seven miles off-shore in complete darkness to the shore of French Morocco
French Morocco
French Protectorate of Morocco was a French protectorate in Morocco, established by the Treaty of Fez. French Morocco did not include the north of the country, which was a Spanish protectorate...
, located and marked landing beaches with landing signals, guided assault troops to their targets while being strafed by enemy planes, and became the first American in the invasion to capture two of the enemy when he personally captured two enemy officers. In recognition of his efforts, including his extraordinary heroism, skill, courage, and fearless devotion to duty, he received a presidential citation and the Navy Cross.
He received an "out-of-line" promotion to Lieutenant Commander for his bravery and daring in the assault on Scoglitti
Scoglitti
Scoglitti is a small fishing village near the town of Vittoria on the south coast of Sicily.In addition to its fishing industry, the village derives a substantial part of its income from tourism...
on the southeastern coast of Sicily in July–August 1943. He received a Presidential Citation for doing the same at Gela
Gela
Gela is a town and comune in the province of Caltanissetta in the south of Sicily, Italy. The city is at about 84 kilometers distance from the city of Caltanissetta, on the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a larger population than the provincial capital, and ranks second in land area.Gela is an...
, in Sicily.
During the Normandy Invasion of the Cherbourg Peninsula, in June 1944 he guided the first two waves of assault troops to the assault beaches, against entrenched strong opposition, and saved two men from drowning. Newspaper accounts called him "one of the first Americans to go ashore in France—perhaps, the first—on D-Day." For his exceptionally meritorious performance of duty, and his "cool judgment and unusual ability", he was awarded a Bronze Star.
Kunming
' is the capital and largest city of Yunnan Province in Southwest China. It was known as Yunnan-Fou until the 1920s. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, communications and cultural centre of Yunnan, and is the seat of the provincial government...
, Camp 6, Hwaan, Changchow, Kulangsu, and Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
. He was granted a Gold Medal
Gold Medal
Gold Medal is the sixth studio album by the American hard rock band The Donnas, released in 2004 on Atlantic Records. It was one of the first albums released in the DualDisc format, but was recalled due to a mastering error which resulted in the final track being partially omitted from the CD...
in lieu of a second Bronze Medal, for "distinguishing himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct. For distinguishing himself "by gallantry and intrepidity", he was awarded a Silver Star. In addition, the Nationalist Chinese government awarded him its highest honor, the Yun Hui "Cloud Banner
Order of the Cloud and Banner
The Order of the Cloud and Banner is a military award of the Republic of China. It was instituted on June 15, 1935 and is awarded in nine grades for contributions to national security. It is also sometimes referred to as the Order of the Resplendent Banner....
", reserved only for admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
.
Sailing career
Halperin, sailed for the Chicago Yacht ClubChicago Yacht Club
The Chicago Yacht Club is located in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Yacht Club is best known for organizing the Chicago to Mackinac Race each July. It also hosts dozens of other races and regattas throughout the season.- History :...
and the Southern Lake Michigan Fleet. He won the North American Star Championship in 1959.
He won a bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
for the United States in the Star class
Star (sailboat)
The International Star is a 6.9 m one-design racing keelboat for two people.The boat must weigh at least 671 kg with a maximum total sail area of 26.5 m . It is sloop-rigged, with a mainsail larger in proportional size than any other boat of its length...
(mixed two-person keelboat
Keelboat
Keelboat has two distinct meanings related to two different types of boats: one a riverine cargo-capable working boat, and the other a classification for small- to mid-sized recreational sailing yachts.-Historical keel-boats:...
) at the 1960 Summer Olympics
1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
in the Bay of Naples in Italy, at the age of 52, together with William Parks
William Parks (sailor)
William Parks was an American competitive sailor and Olympic medalist.He and Robert Halperin won a bronze medal for the United States in the Star class at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Their yacht was the Shrew II.-References:...
. Their yacht was the Shrew II.
In 1963, he won a gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
along with Richard Stearns
Richard Stearns (sailor)
Richard Stearns is an American competitive sailor and Olympic and Pan American Games medalist.In 1963, he won a gold medal along with Robert Halperin at the Pan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, sailing Ninotchka....
at the Pan American Games
1963 Pan American Games
The 4th Pan American Games were held from April 20 to May 5, 1963 in São Paulo, Brazil.- Medal count :To sort this table by nation, total medal count, or any other column, click on the icon next to the column title.Note...
in Sao Paulo, Brazil, sailing the Ninotchka.
At the World Championships, it is tradition for the name of the crew member whose yacht has the best total score to be engraved on the Buck Halperin Trophy, named after him.
Hall of Fame
Halperin was inducted as a member of the Chicagoland Sports Hall of FameChicagoland Sports Hall of Fame
The Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame, located in the Hawthorne Race Course, in Stickney/Cicero, near Chicago, Illinois, honors sports greats associated with the greater Chicago area. It was founded in 1979 as a trailer owned by the Olympia Brewing Company parked at Soldier Field in Chicago. The...
in 1989.
Business career
In business, Halperin became an executive of and rose to become Chairman of Commercial Light Company, a large electrical contractor and engineer which his father had founded in 1915 and which did the electrical work for many Chicago buildings. He became the company's President in 1959, and Chairman in the 1960s. The company performed a number of high-profile assignments, including installing lighting systems in Wrigley FieldWrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
, the John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center at 875 North Michigan Avenue in the Streeterville area of Chicago, Illinois, is a 100-story, 1,127-foot tall skyscraper, constructed under the supervision of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, with chief designer Bruce Graham and structural engineer Fazlur Khan...
, and O'Hare International Airport
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
.
He also started the company Lands' End
Lands' End
Lands' End is a clothing retailer based in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, that specializes in casual clothing, luggage, and home furnishings. The majority of Lands' End's business is conducted through mail order and Internet sales, but the company also runs more than a dozen retail operations, primarily in...
, in the Spring of 1963, with fellow sailor Richard Stearns
Richard Stearns (sailor)
Richard Stearns is an American competitive sailor and Olympic and Pan American Games medalist.In 1963, he won a gold medal along with Robert Halperin at the Pan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, sailing Ninotchka....
, Halperin's close friend Gary Comer
Gary Comer
Gary Comer was the founder of mail order clothing retailer Lands' End.-Early life:Born on the South Side of Chicago in the Grand Crossing neighborhood, Comer graduated from the Paul Revere Elementary School in 1942 and Hyde Park High School in 1946. He became a copywriter at Young & Rubicam in...
, and two of Stearns' employees.
External links
- Scouts and Raiders: the Navy's first special warfare commandos, John B. Dwyer, Praeger, ISBN 0275944093, 1993