TEC 5 Robert W. Hirst, age 22, of Spokane, Washington returned to Louisville, Kentucky after making the ultimate sacrifice and being recovered decades after the conflict. He served courageously in the United States Army during World War II as a member of the Medical Detachment, 194th Tank Battalion. He was captured in Bataan following the American surrender on April 9, 1942, and passed away on July 5, 1942, at the Cabanatuan Prison Camp in Nueva Ecija Province. After missing for many years, his remains were recovered, positively identified, and returned to his loving family with full military honors. Robert was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Honorable Service Lapel Button-World War II, Lapel Button for Service Prior to 8 September, 1939, Philippine Defense Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star and Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.
Born on September 27, 1920, in Spokane, Washington, Robert was the cherished son of the late Thomas C. and Roxana (Phinney) Hirst. Robert was survived by his granddaughter, Marie Annette Browne, who passed before having the opportunity to know her grandfather. He is survived by his grandchildren, Jeff Browne (Raylene), Myrna Albrecht (James) and Brian Browne (Heidi) and a host of other extended family who never stopped waiting for him.
Funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 12:00 pm in the chapel of Schoppenhorst, Underwood & Brooks Funeral Home (4895 N. Preston Hwy., Shepherdsville, KY 40165) with interment in Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central to follow. Family, friends, and military veterans are all welcome to pay their respects on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm and on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 9:00 am until the time of service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Veteran’s Suicide Prevention in Robert’s memory, and the memory of all who gave their lives, are appreciated.
