Early Life

Robert Allen Espenshade was born on May 8th, 1923 to Daniel and Bertha Espenshade. He grew up with his parents, three older brothers, two younger sisters, and a younger brother. World War II began when Private Espenshade was 16 years old and he enlisted at 19 years old. At his time of enlistment, he was single, without dependents.

Family details: Espenshade lived with his parents and six siblings.

Father - Daniel Shenk Espenshade (lived from 1892-1959)

Mother - Bertha L. Eshleman Espenshade (lived from 1895-1966)

Brother - Walter E Espenshade (seven years older)

Brother - Roy O Espenshade (five years older) 

Brother - John H Espenshade (two years older) 

Sister - Margaret E Espenshade (two years younger)

Brother - Kenneth R Espenshade (five years younger)

Sister - Arlene Espenshade (seven years younger)

Younger years:

Private Espenshade was born to Daniel and Bertha Espenshade, who were both born and raised in Pennsylvania as well. The 1930 census shows that Private Espenshade was 6 years old and living in Conewago, PA with his mother and father, three older brothers, his younger sister and younger brother. Private Espenshade did not attend school at this time, but his three older brothers did. His father was self-employed and worked as a farmer in the stock and grain industry. Private Espenshade's oldest brother worked on the farm, unpaid. His mother's occupation is listed as "none" - she was likely at home caring for the younger children and taking care of housework. There are not records from any churches about the whole family, however in Bertha Espenshade's obituary it is recorded that she was a member of the Elizabethtown United Zion Church, so it is likely that the family could have all been members of this church.

Teen years:

The 1940 census has recorded that the Espenshade family moved to Mount Joy, Lancaster, PA and live on a farm. Private Espenshade was 17 years old and living with his mother and father, two older brothers, 22 years old and 19 years old, - his oldest brother, Walter Espenshade must have moved out of the house - and three younger siblings, his younger brother was 12 years old and his younger sisters 15 and 10. The population of Mount Joy in 1940 was about 2,855 people.

Private Espenshade, his older brothers, and his parents highest education was the 8th grade. In 1940, Private Espenshade and his older brothers were not in school. His father and the oldest three sons at the house (including himself) were employed by private work. Private Espenshade was working as a mill helper, with a $100 income. In 1939 he had only worked 10 weeks, however he had worked 40 hours the week prior to the census, so its possible he began working more. His brother Roy, was working as a cook and his other older brother, John, was a landscaper. They had also worked 40 hours in the prior week. Daniel Espenshade, their father, worked 60 hours a week as a farmer. Bertha Espenshade, his mother, and Margaret, his sister, are recorded as employed for "home housework." 

Private Espenshade's military record in the National Archives lists his civil occupation as "Semiskilled occupations in the manufacture of miscellaneous products" so while he was a mill helper, he may have worked other jobs as well before going to war.

The cover of the John Harris High School Yearbook, "The Pioneer." John Espenshade, one of Private Espenshade's older brothers is recorded as being part of student council at this high school in 1937.

Roy and John, two of Robert's older brothers, also served in WWII.

Evidence and details of their service is detailed in these "Applications for World War II Compensation":

Location that Espenshade resided at according to the 1940 census (Mount Joy, PA)