Neeser, Robert Wilden, 1884-....

Studied naval history in Washington, D.C., New York, and Yale University, 1909-1914; volunteer assistant, American naval attaché, Paris, 1917-1918; served in U.S. Army, 1918-1919; manager Western Union Telegraph Co., Paris, 1921-1923; with National City Bank of New York, Paris, 1923-1940; author.

Born July 16, 1884, Seabright, NJ; missing since September 30, 1940, Lyons, France (later presumed dead).

Father, John Caspar Neeser, partner Isehn, Neeser & Company, dry goods, New York City, son of Hans Caspar and Anna (Ruf) Neeser Mother, Josephine Clementine (Wilden) Neeser; daughter of Jean Frederic Joseph and Marie Ursole Louise (Proutier) Wilden.

The Browning School Second dispute appointment Junior year, first dispute appointment, George Washington Egleston Historical Prize, and John Addison Porter Prize Senior year; Freshman Crew, member The Pundits.

Studied government archives on naval history Washington, DC, 1906-7; with Charles Scnbner's Sons, New York City, 1907-8, M A. Yale 1909, studied American and foreign naval history and accompanied United States naval forces on cruises 1909- 14, American representative "Oeuvre Mon Soldat 1915" (society to aid correspondence with French soldiers at the front 1915-18; awarded Medaille de la Reconnaissance Franchise 1918) and editor. Lettres de Mon Soldat (1916), volunteer assistant American naval attache, Pans, 1917-18; commissioned First Lieutenant, U.S Infantry, June 15, 1918; attached to Intelligence Section, Services of Supply, American Expeditionary Forces, and served as assistant to Chief of Operations, Second Section, General Staff, France, until discharge May 12, 1919; liaison officer historical section American naval attache, Pans, 1919-21; manager Western Union Telegraph Company, Paris, 1921-23; with National City Bank of New York, Paris, 1923-40, awarded French Academic palms 1919 and chevalier of Legion of Honor 1927; did research work at Bibhotheque Nationale, Pans; author: Statistical and Chronological History of the United States Navy ; A Landsman's Log ; Our Navy and the Next War ; Our Many- Sided Navy, Ship Names of the United States Navy, translator: Rostand's Chantecler, Claudel Paul's Ute D'or, and The City ; editor: American Naval Songs and Ballads, member Squadron A, New York National Guard, secretary-treasurer Naval History Society 1909-16, secretary Yale Alumni Association in France 1932-36; associate member Academie de Marine, member U S. Naval Institute (Annapolis), American Historical Association, and Navy committee of National Security League, and Roman Catholic church.

Married May 15, 1919, in Paris, Susanne, daughter of General Emile Eugene Belin. Children: Jean Stanislas (deceased); Odilc Elvine de Borde; Beatrice; Robert Martial (grad ecole Navale), and Marie-Jose (dcteased).

Presumed dead after being missing since September 30, 1940. Survived by wife, two daughters, one son, and two sisters, Miss Elvme Louise Neeser of New York City, and Madame Charles Lestelle of Paris.

Source: Yale Obituary Record, 1948-1949, pages 176-177.