Ran for City Clerk of La Crosse, in 1925, but was defeated. [2566], [2567] (see 2nd source for his political ad)

Robert was a member of "Co. M, Third Regiment Wisconsin National Guard," on the Mexican border, 1916. This unit transitioned to "Co. C, 121st Machine Gun Battalion, 32nd Division," with service in France & Germany in WW-I. After the war, he was a member of the "Company M Last Man's Club." Robert was involved in organizing the 25th anniversary reunion of the group in 1956. [2561], [263]

A report on the 32nd Division indicates that the 121st Machine Gun Battalion saw combat service as follows:
• Haute-Alsace sector, Alsace, France, 18-MAY to 21-JUL-1918.
• Aisne-Marne Offensive, France, 30-JUL to 06-AUG-1918.
• Oise-Aisne Offensive, France, 28-AUG to 02-SEP-1918.
• Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France, 16-SEP to 11-NOV-1918.
[8068, p.41]

The U.S. Army Transport Service records show Robert embarking on the following ships during WW-I:

Sailing from Hoboken, New Jersey, 18-FEB-1918, on a vessel only recorded as “10.” Private First Class with "Company C, 121st Machine Gun Battalion, National Guard.” [8064]

Sailing from Hoboken, New Jersey, 04–MAR-1918, on a vessel only recorded as “22.” Private First Class with ”Company 11, Casual Detachment, 32nd Division, National Guard” and “121st Machine Gun Battalion.” [8065]

(Note: the numbered ships were probably vessels leased from civilian fleets)

Sailing from Brest, France, on the “U.S.S Virginia,” on 26-MAR-1919. At the time he was a Corporal with “Company D, 330th Machine Gun Battalion” (85th Division, 170th Brigade Infantry). His serial number was 2,307,171. [8063] From other sources, it has been determined that the destination of the “U.S.S Virginia” was Newport News, Virginia, and that it arrived there on 07-APR-1919. [8067]

He was reported as wounded in action ("degree undetermined"), in a 1918 newspaper listing of casualties, which also stated his rank as Corporal. [2562]