PA PA - Cpl. Robert Corriveau, 20, Downington, 18 Nov 1968

[Richard]

This November marks 55 years since Corporal Corriveau was murdered. His body was found on the day of his murder, but remained unidentified until 201 when he was given a proper funeral with full military honors. His killer remains unidentified and the case is active and as yet unsolved.

 

[Richard]

55 Years ago...


Corporal Robert Daniel Corriveau, US Marine Corps, age 20
Unsolved Murder 18 November 1968

 

[jacksonbrown]

Military ID and dog tags have been returned

 

[jacksonbrown]

@Richard , any movement from the Pennsylvania Highway Patrol on this case?

@jacksonbrown , sorry to learn of your family's' loss.

jmho ymmv lrr

Thank you..

 

[Richard]

Military ID and dog tags have been returned

I wonder where they turned up? Robert likely was allowed to check out of the Naval Hospital Philadelphia on liberty for the weekend, but would have been carrying his ID and probably would have been wearing his dog tags when he left. Yet, when his body was found on Monday, 18 November 1968, he had no identification with him.

He was declared an Unauthorized Absentee (UA) on Monday morning 18 November 1968 when he was not present for morning roll call at the Naval Hospital. The hospital, and the Marine Corps Unit would have carried him in that classification for 30 days and when he did not report back in, he was declared a deserter (for administrative purposes). His records at that time would have been transferred to a branch of the Marine Corps Personnel Command (Arlington, VA) which was responsible for deserters. It is likely that at some point they must have received his military ID card and dog tags - but how and when?

Corporal Corriveau's body was found at about the same time that he was declared UA, but remained unidentified until 2012. It is pretty clear that he was murdered and his body placed near a highway off ramp at Downingtown, PA - some 30 miles west of Philadelphia. However, his murder has never been solved and remains an open homicide case in the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Police.

An effort was made by some private investigators (themselves former Marines and homicide detectives) to track down anyone who might have had information on the case. Rosters on file in the National Archives II in College Park, Maryland provided a number of names of former patients, staff, and Marine Corps personnel. The Naval Hospital Philadelphia closed in the 1970's.

A number of persons were located and many interviews were conducted in an attempt to find answers. All information learned was shared with the Pennsylvania State Police case officer.

 

[jacksonbrown]

I wonder where they turned up? Robert likely was allowed to check out of the Naval Hospital Philadelphia on liberty for the weekend, but would have been carrying his ID and probably would have been wearing his dog tags when he left. Yet, when his body was found on Monday, 18 November 1968, he had no identification with him.

He was declared an Unauthorized Absentee (UA) on Monday morning 18 November 1968 when he was not present for morning roll call at the Naval Hospital. The hospital, and the Marine Corps Unit would have carried him in that classification for 30 days and when he did not report back in, he was declared a deserter (for administrative purposes). His records at that time would have been transferred to a branch of the Marine Corps Personnel Command (Arlington, VA) which was responsible for deserters. It is likely that at some point they must have received his military ID card and dog tags - but how and when?

Corporal Corriveau's body was found at about the same time that he was declared UA, but remained unidentified until 2012. It is pretty clear that he was murdered and his body placed near a highway off ramp at Downingtown, PA - some 30 miles west of Philadelphia. However, his murder has never been solved and remains an open homicide case in the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Police.

An effort was made by some private investigators (themselves former Marines and homicide detectives) to track down anyone who might have had information on the case. Rosters on file in the National Archives II in College Park, Maryland provided a number of names of former patients, staff, and Marine Corps personnel. The Naval Hospital Philadelphia closed in the 1970's.

A number of persons were located and many interviews were conducted in an attempt to find answers. All information learned was shared with the Pennsylvania State Police case officer.

They were found by his sister exactly where she said they were. Mrs West denied having them when she spoke with the private investigators and the PSP. It is unknown why she would do this. Perhaps more was known and not discussed openly. His sister provided the information to all investigators that she had seen the dog tags and ID many times, several times. Perhaps some investigators thought that after awhile one could convince themselves something is true when it is not (or is it).

 

[J. J. in Phila]

They were found by his sister exactly where she said they were.

Snipped for emphasis.

Could you be a bit more specific?

 

[jacksonbrown]

Bobby Dan's mother passed away. Located in her possession were the dog tags and military ID

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Bobby Dan's mother passed away. Located in her possession were the dog tags and military ID

Thanks.

A guess on my part: It was either left at the hospital or found and returned to the USMC.

 

[Richard]

Corporal Corriveau had served in Viet Nam, where he was wounded in 3 separate battles. On the third occasion, he was medevaced out of Vietnam for treatment of his wounds at Naval hospitals.

After a time, he was sent home to his parents' house in Massachusetts on convalescent leave. He was offered an early honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, since he only had a short time left on his enlistment. Robert, however wanted to stay in the Corps, and maybe reenlist.

Unfortunately, Robert was suffering from what we now know is PTSD, and was readmitted to the Naval Hospital for treatment - this time in Philadelphia. He arrived there on 17 October 1968.

It seems that he might have left his ID and dog tags at home. If that was the case, he was probably issued new ones in Philadelphia. He certainly would have needed an ID card to check in and out on liberty.

 

[jacksonbrown]

Thanks.

A guess on my part: It was either left at the hospital or found and returned to the USMC.

The hospital reported shaving gear only. Along with the dog tags and ID was his wallet and drivers license. The wallet and drivers license were not found amongst Mrs West things.

 

[jacksonbrown]

The hospital reported shaving gear only. Along with the dog tags and ID were his wallet and drivers license. The wallet and drivers license were not found amongst Mrs West things.

 

[Richard]

Every military ID card has a date of issue on it, as well as a "valid until" date. If The ID card in his mother's possession was issued before 17 October 1968 (as I suspect it was) then it was left at his home when he was taken to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital - where a new ID card would have been issued.

If he had left an ID card at the hospital, it likely would have been placed in his Service Record and transferred with it on or about 18 December 1968 when he was declared a Deserter. It definitely would not have been sent to his family.

I think that whoever murdered Robert kept or disposed of the ID card. he was carrying at the time of his death.

 

[Find Brenda]

Still unsolved

 

[jacksonbrown]

The hospital reported shaving gear only. Along with the dog tags and ID was his wallet and drivers license. The wallet and drivers license were not found amongst Mrs West things.

Mrs West had his drivers license, military ID, wallet and dog tags. The shaving gear was never returned to the family from the hospital. The only items Mrs West had when she passed away were the id and dog tags. The wallet and license were not located. However I personally handled these items throughout my life. I reported the existence of all of these items to the PSP along with John Kelly and Tom Nearney. When Mrs West was interviewed, she denied having any of these things.

 

[jacksonbrown]

Corporal Corriveau had served in Viet Nam, where he was wounded in 3 separate battles. On the third occasion, he was medevaced out of Vietnam for treatment of his wounds at Naval hospitals.

After a time, he was sent home to his parents' house in Massachusetts on convalescent leave. He was offered an early honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, since he only had a short time left on his enlistment. Robert, however wanted to stay in the Corps, and maybe reenlist.

Unfortunately, Robert was suffering from what we now know is PTSD, and was readmitted to the Naval Hospital for treatment - this time in Philadelphia. He arrived there on 17 October 1968.

It seems that he might have left his ID and dog tags at home. If that was the case, he was probably issued new ones in Philadelphia. He certainly would have needed an ID card to check in

Every military ID card has a date of issue on it, as well as a "valid until" date. If The ID card in his mother's possession was issued before 17 October 1968 (as I suspect it was) then it was left at his home when he was taken to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital - where a new ID card would have been issued.

If he had left an ID card at the hospital, it likely would have been placed in his Service Record and transferred with it on or about 18 December 1968 when he was declared a Deserter. It definitely would not have been sent to his family.

I think that whoever murdered Robert kept or disposed of the ID card. he was carrying at the time of his death.

and out

Corporal Corriveau had served in Viet Nam, where he was wounded in 3 separate battles. On the third occasion, he was medevaced out of Vietnam for treatment of his wounds at Naval hospitals.

After a time, he was sent home to his parents' house in Massachusetts on convalescent leave. He was offered an early honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, since he only had a short time left on his enlistment. Robert, however wanted to stay in the Corps, and maybe reenlist.

Unfortunately, Robert was suffering from what we now know is PTSD, and was readmitted to the Naval Hospital for treatment - this time in Philadelphia. He arrived there on 17 October 1968.

It seems that he might have left his ID and dog tags at home. If that was the case, he was probably issued new ones in Philadelphia. He certainly would have needed an ID card to check in and out on liberty.

Just to clarify.... Bobby did not live with his parents upon being released from Chelsea Naval Hospital in July, 1967, and again in July 1968. He lived with his grandmother whenever he was home on leave.

 

[jacksonbrown]

Thanks.

A guess on my part: It was either left at the hospital or found and returned to the USMC.

So do you think these things were mailed back to my parents?

 

[J. J. in Phila]

So do you think these things were mailed back to my parents?

Yes.

 

[Richard]

What is the issue date on the ID card?

 

[jacksonbrown]

Yes.

Me too, and so did several veterans associations