During World War II, the 163rd Infantry Regiment of the 41st Division of the U.S. Army trained in the U.S. and left for Australia in April of 1942. They fought in the Pacific Theater on islands in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1945, including the Papuan Campaign, Luzon, New Guinea, and the Philippines. In March of 1945, they were fighting on the islands of Mindanao and then Jolo and Tawi-Tawi.

When the war ended on August 15, 1945, they served as occupation forces in Japan. They inactivated on December 31, 1945. The 163rd Infantry Regiment received two Presidential Unit Citations.

Green County soldier Robert Leslie Amans eventually served with the 163rd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in the Philippines.

Robert Leslie Amans was born October 24, 1918 in Douglas County, Wisconsin. His parents were Edward and Mabel (Van Arman) Amans.

From the 1920 U.S. Census, the Amans family lived in Oakland Township in Douglas County, Wisconsin, with some of the children living with their maternal grandparents. 

From the 1930 U.S. Census, some of the Amans family, including Robert, lived with mother Mabel Amans’ family in Superior in Douglas County. Robert had eight siblings: Nellie, Hazel, George, Harry, Francis, Lloyd, Grace, and Carol.

From 1940 U.S. Census, Robert Aman lived with his brother in Mt. Pleasant township, Green County, Wisconsin. Elder brother Harry was head of household along with his wife Helen. Harry was a farmer and Robert was a farm laborer.”

On October 15, 1940, Robert L. Amans enlisted for service prior to U.S. involvement in WWII as a Private with the Infantry in the National Guard in Monroe. He had a grammar school education and his civilian occupation was as a “farm hand.”  

From the October 23, 1940 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Here’s List of Monroe’s Co. K Men,” the article stated “Members of Co. K, national guard unit here, who left here Monday night for Camp Beauregard, La., include the following…” Included in the list of Privates was Robert Amans.

From the March 5, 1941 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “23 Co. G. Privates Win Promotions,” the article from Camp Livingston, La. stated “Promotions for 23 privates of Madison’s Co. G., 128th Infantry, were announced along with other Madison area national guard rank advancements Saturday at regimental headquarters here….Fourteen promotions in Co. K, 128th Infantry, Monroe, are as follows…private to sergeant; Robert L. Amans…”

From the March 1, 1943 Oshkosh Northwestern article titled “There’s Plenty in Name, Reporter Finds in Jungle,” the article stated “A Wisconsin youth, Robert L. Amans, looked at me as though I was crazy when I shouted over to him to give me his name and home town. Maybe he was right.

He was poised at the entrance to a Jap pillbox on Cape Endaiadere. He had a grenade in his right hand; the pin was out and he was ready to throw it. But he gave me his name and his home town, Superior, before he threw the grenade and dropped flat to escape possible bits of flying steel...”

The Associated Press ran with the story, including it with a promotional advertisement that ran across the nation for more than a year.

From the May 10, 1945 The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin) — “Lieut Robert Amans Is Killed on Jolo,” the short notice from Monroe, Wis. stated “First Lieut. Robert Amans, 26, brother of Harry and Francis Amans, was killed on Jolo island, Apr. 12, the war department announced. Lieut. Amans was employed in this vicinity when he enlisted with Monroe Company K in 1943. He served in several campaigns with the 41st division.”

First Lieutenant Amans is listed on the National Archives WWII Honor Roll List for Douglas County, Wisconsin. First Lieutenant Robert Leslie Amans was buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines. Lt. Amans received the Purple Heart Medal with oak leaf cluster, awarded posthumously. 

Thank you, 1st Lieutenant Robert Leslie Amans, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.