Vanessa WoodIn remembrance of Pearl Harbor I’m posting about my great-uncle who served aboard the U.S.S. Arizona when it was a new ship during World War I.
“A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” card from the U.S.S. Arizona, in the author’s collection, from grandmother’s photograph collection.
James “Luster” Roberts was enumerated in 1910 in his parents household with six siblings (see Table).
| Table: Noah Roberts Household, 1910 U.S. Census Enumeration | |||
| Noah Roberts | Head | 44 | Kentucky |
| Sarah J. | Wife | 47 | Kentucky |
| Estelle | Daughter | 21 | Kentucky |
| John C. | Son | 19 | Kentucky |
| Mary | Daughter | 14 | Kentucky |
| Luster | Son | 13 | Kentucky |
| William E. | Son | 10 | Kentucky |
| Grace | Daughter | 8 | Kentucky |
| 1910 U.S. census, Pulaski County, Kentucky, population schedule, Enumeration District 3, Dallas Precinct, sheet 4A, dwelling 72, family 75, Noah Roberts household; digital images, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RJR-B64 : viewed 20 December 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication T624, roll 500. | |||
A Postcard from His Brother John C. Roberts
On 25 March 1911 John C. Roberts, Luster’s brother, enlisted in the U.S. Army.1 He sent Luster a postcard extolling the good life in the military,
Figure 1 and 2: Front and Back of Postcard
FRONT and BACK: “Infantry Supported by Machine Guns U.S.A.” postcard from J. C. R. (John C. Roberts) to Mr. Luster Roberts, in the author’s collection, from grandmother’s photograph collection.
Transcription (of back of postcard)
your Brother JCP
CARTE POSTALE [Printed]
Be a good boy until we
meet agin [sic]
(printed: This view shows the mule batteries with
two automatic machine guns, which are
attached to each Infantry Regiment.)
boy Luster this is
a Soldier Life it is
a Happy Life to
me well this Leavs [sic]
me not much well
But I think I will be
OK in a few days hope
this will find you all
well I just had a little
fever But I am
[illegible pencil message…]
[F]ORT SAM HOUSTON [TX]
10 APR 1911 [Printed post mark]
Mr. Luster
Roberts
Public
KY
Naval Service During World War I
Unlike his brother John who enlisted, Luster was drafted in 1918 during World War.2 In 1922 while serving in the Navy, he became ill was treated on a naval medical ship.3 The medical entry shows he was a seaman, 2nd class.
“James Luster Roberts (right) in Naval Uniform,” photograph, ca. 1918, in the author’s collection, from grandmother’s photograph collection.
After military service Luster returned to Indianapolis and worked as a street car conductor.
“James Luster Roberts (left) and brother William E. Roberts (right),” photograph, ca. 1925, in the author’s collection, from grandmother’s photograph collection.
“Indianapolis Street Railway Company, Ticket 116366,” ca. 1925, in the author’s collection, from ephemera part of grandmother’s photograph collection.
Luster contracted tuberculosis and the family story is that he was sent to a military hospital in Arizona for the warm, dry air. He died in 1930 while hospitalized.4
“James Luster Roberts (right) in Naval Uniform,” photograph, ca. 1917, in the author’s collection, from grandmother’s photograph collection.
In August 1930 William E. Roberts applied to the War Department for a grave marker. He said Luster had served as a seaman, 2nd class on the “U.S.N. Battleship Arizona.”5 There is an open request on FindAGrave for a photograph of the marker.6
FEATURED IMAGE: Vanessa Wood, U.S.A. Flag, (author’s collection).
- Registers of Englistments in the United States Army, 1798-1914, volume 132, February 1909-January 1912, R-S, p. 71, John C. Roberts; database with images, Fold3.com (https://www.fold3.com/image/310965596 : viewed 20 December 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication 233, roll 68.
- “WWI Draft Registration Cards,” James Luster Roberts, Div. 6, Indianapolis, Indiana, 5 June 1917; digital images, Fold3.com (https://www.fold3.com/image/560955558 : viewed 20 December 2023); citing NARA microfilm M1509.
- “US, Registers of Patients at Naval Hospitals, 1812-1934,” database with images, Fold3.com (https://www.fold3.com : viewed 20 December 2023), U.S.S. Mercy, p. 75, case 1889 (10 October 1922), James Luster Roberts.
- “Arizona, U.S., Death Certificates, 1887–1968,” database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8704/ : viewed 20 December 2023), U.S. Veteran’s Hospital, Whipple, Arizona, no. 535 (3 June 1930), James Luster Roberts.
- “US, Headstone Applications, 1925-1963,” James Luster Roberts, no. 58613, Indianapolis, Indiana, 19 August 1930; digital images, Fold3.com (https://www.fold3.com/image/317828040 : viewed 20 December 2023); citing NARA microfilm M1916, M2113.
- . Find a Grave, memorial 262390681, James Luster Roberts (1900–1930), McCalister Chaney Cemetery, Pulaski County, Kentucky (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/262390681/ : viewed 20 December 2023).
