Robert L. Hyatt, 91, of Franklin, IN, passed away Saturday, December 24, 2016 at the Franklin United Methodist Community. He was born February 17, 1925 in Waverly, IN to John Henry Hyatt and Ethel (Ward) Hyatt.
Robert was one of two remaining Indiana three war veterans. He served as an Army medic in WWII and Korea before being Honorably Discharged. He then enlisted in the Marine Corps where he helped expand the Da Nang Airforce Base in Vietnam.
In WWII he served under General George S. Patton and was shot in the leg during his third campaign. He recovered and returned to duty.
In the Korean War, Robert received a near mortal bayonet wound while providing first aid to another soldier. He saved the soldier’s life before allowing himself to be removed from the battle field and treated for his own wound.
In Vietnam he successfully stopped an enemy combatant who tried to explode a bomb at the air force base.
Upon his second Honorable Discharge, Robert returned home to his family and worked various jobs quietly until his retirement. In 1990 he did try to re-enlist so that he could fight in Operation Desert Storm, however, he was denied due to his age.
In 2015 Governor Mike Pence awarded Robert with the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana’s highest civilian recognition.
Robert was also awarded the Distinguished Hoosier Award, an Indiana Joint Resolution honoring his life and multiple other awards for his service to our country.
While visiting Washington D.C. in 2015 as part of the Indy Honor Flight, a reporter asked Robert how many lives he had saved during his time as a war medic. Robert replied with teary eyes and simply said, “not enough”.
Robert dedicated his life in the service of the country he loved so much.
After retiring, he worked for Bonded Gas Station in Greenwood, IN and as a security guard at several companies.
Surviving are his children, Robert L. Hyatt of Grisom, IN, David H. Hyatt (Charity) of Bronson, FL, Charles E. Hyatt (Stacey) of Columbus, IN, Timothy W. Hyatt (Sonny) of Pueblo, CO, Ona May Boggs of Irvington, TX, and Rex Hyatt of Edinburgh,, IN; brother Norman Hyatt of Martinsville; sisters Martha Duke (Bill) of Franklin, IN and Josephine Park (Wayne) of Montgomery, IN; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wives Wanda (Curtis) Hyatt, Dorothy J. “Dot” (Qualls) Hyatt, and Shirley (Bloxam) Hyatt; a son Dallas Hyatt; grandson Johnathan D. Hyatt; and brothers Russell Hyatt and Oren Hyatt.
A service for the residents of the Franklin United Methodist Community will take place on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 10AM at the Wright Chapel of the Franklin United Methodist Community, 1070 West Jefferson Street, Franklin, IN. A military funeral will follow on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 1PM at Franklin Middle School, 625 Grizzly Cub Drive, Franklin, IN, with visitation from 12 Noon till service time at the school. Burial with military honors will take place in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL on January 6, 2017 at 2:00PM. Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN, is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to the Indy Honor Flight, P.O. Box 10, Plainfield, IN, 46168 or at www.indyhonorflight.org. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information at 317-738-0202.

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