Robert B. Hile, BM3, 1950-1954

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Appreciation to Robert B. Hile’s son, Robert, for the following photographs related to his father’s service in the US Navy and while aboard the Calvert. In addition to the photographs below, here are additional photographs taken by Robert Hile during the early 1950s.

Robert B. Hile, Graduation photograph, Great Lakes Naval Training Center, November 1950
Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Graduating Class: Company 372, Platoon 1. Robert B. Hile is identified by the red hash mark. November, 1950.
Robert B. Hile, Company 372, Platoon 1 – Great Lakes Naval Training Center.
Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Graduating Class: Company 372, Platoon 2. November, 1950.

While aboard the Calvert, Robert a BM3 participated in exercises in Japan during the summer of 1951 (where the Calvert’s crew became known as “The Chigasaki Raiders” given the number of exercises that they participated in during the June to August time frame). He saved this patch:

Note: For more information on the Chigasaki exercises, held near Yokosuka, Japan during the summer of 1951, see pages 8 to 12 in the downloadable document located here: https://www.usscalvert.com/2020/05/05/august-1950-to-august-1954-historical-details/

When the Calvert then participated in exercises near Inchon, Korea in the winter of 1952, Robert’s father held on to the following map, which includes a notation indicating the Calvert’s location during the Marlex 12 exercise (more information on this exercise is found on pages 16 and 17 of the above reference document).

Marlex 12 exercise, Tokchock Island Group, near Inchon, Korea – December, 1952

A full size image of the above map can be viewed here.

And here is an enlargement of the section of the map showing the Calvert’s position:

Calvert’s position noted on map.

While aboard the Calvert in the summer of 1952, BM3 Hile, and other Calvert coxswains, earned the Assault Boat Coxswain insignia to wear on the right sleeve of their uniforms.

Robert B Hile’s Assault Boat Coxswain marlinspike insignia

This was a brand new insignia to recognize coxswains who completed special training for boat handling and assault landing techniques at one of two Assault Boat Landing training schools, one on the west coast and one on the east coast. Additional details on the assault boat coxswain designation and training, including mention of the Calvert’s coxswains, is available here.

Here are additional items from BM3 Hile’s time aboard the Calvert:

BM3 Hile’s bosun whistles.
Early 1950s lighter, USS Calvert issue.
“Not of The Line Vice Admiral Flag” and was likely used aboard BM3 Hile’s boat, and not the Calvert itself. Further explanation regarding Not of the Line for us non-Navy folks: “Those not eligible for command at sea include officers of the staff corps (medical, supply, chaplain, civil engineer, judge advocate general, dental, medical service, and nurse corps) as well as line officers restricted to engineering or special duties are not of the line officers. These flags are never flown aboard ship, but may be flown in boats and are used ashore to designate the headquarters of such entities.”
Per W. Calvert, 2002-10-15: “WW2 era USN Ships Jack. Flown forward on the Bow. 48 stars flew from 1912 to 1953” From Robert B. Hile’s Navy and USS Calvert memorabilia collection.
Per W. Calvert, 2002-10-15: “This item is not a flag, it’s got no lanyard holes, is wrong shape for the size to be a flag or pennant. I’ve checked with navy buddies and searched the net. We believe it to be officer / chiefs mess table cloth. The blue pipping is too decorative for general mess based on experience.” From Robert B. Hile’s Navy and USS Calvert memorabilia collection.

Sadly Robert Burnon Hile passed away in late October of 2019. His obituary can be found here: https://thomas-littlefuneralservice.com/book-of-memories/4008150/Hile-Robert/index.php

Gratitude to Robert for his service as a crew member of the USS Calvert, and then as a Pennsylvania State Police Officer. Appreciation to his son, Robert, for providing these photographs for inclusion on the website. Information and artifacts as above truly help keep the the Calvert’s and her crew’s history alive and accessible to former crew members and their families.

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