Name: Robert Leroy KINNAMAN
Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class
Service #: 966 44 20
DOB: Jun 27, 1917
From: Sevier County, Tennessee
Parents:
Went Aboard: May 1944
Age When Ship Went Down: 28 years, 1 months, 3 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Admin
Date Posted:

Seaman Second Class Kinnaman (Service Number: 966-44-20) was born on June 27, 1917, in Sevier County, Tennessee. He was inducted into the United States Naval Reserve on February 24, 1944, at Chattanooga, TN. He completed Boot Camp training in Company 428 at USNTC (United States Naval Training Center), Great Lakes, Illinois.

He was assigned to USS Indianapolis, Division R, in May 1944. He died as a result of the ship’s sinking on July 30, 1945, and was buried at sea. Robert Kinnaman was not married. His family called him Roy. He and his mother lived with us fora short period of time before he went into the Navy. I was young at the time but remember him well. His mother told me later that Roy had always said I was his favorite cousin. His mother willed me all she had saved about Roy. I have a cap (like the one in the picture) which he forgot on his last trip home. I have his Purple Heart and other medals. Among those things are his letters to her while he was on the USS Indianapolis. A few parts had been cut out by the censoring, but all carried his love for his family and his country. Kinnaman’s mother passed away in 1980. His nearest surviving relative at the time was his cousin, Sue R Damewood, of Powell, Tennessee.