Robert Blake Lothrop Sr. was born on January 14, 1907, in Fort Baker, California. He was the son of James Norris Lothrop and Nellie Joan Flenner Lothrop. He was the husband of Harriette Burke Owens. He spent a year at the Schadman Preparatory School before entering West Point in June 1926, graduating in 1930 and commissioning into the Corps of Engineers. His early career included river and harbor work in North Carolina, earning a degree in engineering at Cornell University in 1933, troop duty in Delaware, advanced training at Fort Belvoir, and serving as an ROTC instructor at the University of Illinois.

In 1940, Robert was ordered to the Philippine Islands. He was assigned to troop duty with the 14th Engineers at Fort McKinley. He was ordered to Corregidor as Assistant Engineer Officer in Local Charge of Fortification Work in the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays, and he was there during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. After the surrender, he endured the severe hardships of life as a prisoner of war at PW Camp #7 in Corregidor. In October 1944, he was being transported to Japan on the “Hell Ship” Arisan Maru, which was struck by an American submarine. He was declared Missing in Action while on a ship and officially declared dead on October 15, 1944.

Maj Lothrop's name is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Silver Star Citation:
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Corps of Engineers) Robert Blake Lothrop (ASN: 0-18033), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays, as Assistant Engineer for Fortifications, Corregidor, Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, in action against the enemy in 1942. Major Lothrop distinguished himself by courageous defense of vital utilities in the face of heavy enemy fire. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Lothrop, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, alumni.westpointaog.org, valor.militarytimes.com