Commander Robert Edward Custer

Commander Robert Edward Custer, US Navy Ret. of Rainbow, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2014 in Fallbrook, at age 91.

Born September 26, 1922, in Detroit, Mich., son of George and Caroline Ann Gamstetter Custer, Robert was a member of The Greatest Generation having proudly served our country aboard aircraft carriers as a torpedo bomber pilot during WW II.

Robert was one of 378 crew members that were rescued out of heavy seas at night, while being strafed by Japanese aircraft after the sinking of the USS Bismark Sea (CVE-95), during the battle of Iwo Jima. Cdr. Custer was known for his su...