History:
ROBERT VESTRY
Real Name: Robert Vestry
Identity/Class: Human (Post-World
War II Era)
Occupation: Frogman, Seaman 1st class
Group Membership: US Navy
Affiliations: Becker, Coleridge, Cooper, Captain Devlin, Heath, Jacobs, Morrison, Norton
Enemies: The Chinese army
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Mobile aboard the Devildog
First Appearance: Battlefield I#2 (June, 1952)
Powers/Abilities: Robert Vestry was an experienced navy frogman. He was an expert at scuba diving and planting explosive charges. Because his missions required a large degree of stealth he and his fellow frogmen would communicate using hand gestures. Vestry wore a diving suit with flippers, mask, oxygen cannister and knife.
Height: Unrevealed
(approximately 5'11")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 170 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dark brown
History:
(Battlefield I#2/6 (fb) - BTS) - Seaman 1st Class Robert Vestry was an experienced frogman in the US Navy aboard the sub-chaser Devildog under the command of Captain Devlin. During the early stages of the Korean War Vestry was selected for dangerous assignments by Captain Devlin on several occasions. Vestry noticed that Devlin chose him for the most dangerous work and that the only times he wasn't chosen for an assignment was when the work wasn't hazardous. Vestry grew to resent Devlin, feeling he was being chosen as some form of punishment.
(Battlefield I#2/6) - During the Battle of Inchon (September 15-19, 1950) the Devildog was ordered to enact Blue Plan X-143, in which frogmen would plant dynamite charges at an enemy-occupied pier where a radar station was located and destroy it prior to a naval assault by the UN fleet. For the assignment Captain Devlin chose Vestry alongside his fellow frogmen Jacobs, Norton, Becker, Morrison and Heath.
After Devlin's briefing, Vestry confronted him alone and pointed out how frequently Devlin had chosen him for dangerous missions. Vestry accused Devlin of holding some kind of grudge against him and vowed that if they ever met in civilian life he'd find out what Devlin's problem was.
As the frogmen prepared for the night mission they were surprised when Captain Devlin himself joined them in scuba gear. Vestry joined the other frogmen as they swam from the Devildog to the pier. Vestry mused to himself that it was time for Devlin to learn what these missions were like but he did give Devlin credit for risking his own life. Reaching the pier the frogmen silently went to work, planting dynamite below the dock to destroy the radar station.
Once the charges were planted Devlin signalled for the other frogmen to return to the Devildog but he didn't move from the pier. Vestry started back to the Devildog but when he saw Devlin wasn't moving he went back to check on him. He discovered Devlin's foot had been caught on the post where he planted his charge. Devlin ordered Vestry to return to the Devildog before the charges went off but Vestry refused and dove below to see if he could free Devlin's foot. When Vestry failed to set him free, Devlin finally informed Vestry that he had been chosen for the dangerous assignments not out of personal spite but because Devlin knew he was the best frogman and could see the missions to completion. Devlin ordered Vestry to return to the Devildog but Vestry refused, noting there were still 3 minutes until the charges went off. For another minute he tried to free Devlin's leg but couldn't release him. Vestry told Devlin his only hope now was an amputation. Using his knife, Vestry cut off Vestry's right foot then tied a torniquet around the stump. Devlin passed out from the pain so Vestry held on to him as he swam back to the Devildog. Vestry helped the Devildog crew raise Devlin aboard and told them to get Devlin to sick bay. Just then, the explosive charges went off and the UN fleet began its naval assault on Inchon.
Comments: Created by an unidentified writer and Werner Roth.
This profile was completed on 11/24/2025 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Robert Vestry should not be confused with:
Vestry's fellow frogmen on the Blue Plan X-143 assignment were Jacobs, Norton, Becker, Morrison and Heath. They were all commanded on the sub-chaser Devildog by Captain Devlin. These five men accompanied Vestry and Captain Devlin in setting dynamite charges on a pier at Inchon. Jacobs, Norton, Becker, Morrison and Heath all returned to the Devildog once the charges were placed but Vestry turned back to save Devlin's life.
--Battlefield I#2/5
Coleridge was a US Navy officer aboard the sub-chaser Devildog. Coleridge delivered the message which sailor Cooper received directing the Devildog to put Blue Plan X-143 into motion.
--Battlefield I#2/5
Cooper was a US Navy sailor aboard the sub-chaser Devildog where Vestry was stationed. Cooper received a message from a cruiser via searchlight which indicated they were to proceed with Blue Plan X-143. Coleridge took the message from Cooper to the staff of the Devildog.
--Battlefield I#2/5
The Devildog was a sub-chaser tasked with Blue Plan X-143. The officers aboard included Coleridge and Captain Devlin. Sailors included Cooper. The vessel's frogmen were Becker, Heath, Jacobs, Morrison, Norton and Robert Vestry.
--Battlefield I#2/5
Captain Devlin was Vestry's superior officer on the Devildog. He was responsible for sending the Devildog's frogmen on missions and had a tendency to select Vestry for dangerous assignments because he knew Vestry was his best frogman and could see each mission to completion. In time, Vestry became convinced that Devlin was choosing him for the dangerous assignments because he wanted him to die. Devlin chose Vestry along with Jacobs, Norton, Becker, Morrison and Heath for Blue Plan X-143 but when Vestry finally told Devlin how he felt about going on dangerous missions this convinced Devlin to accompany the frogmen so that he could demonstrate he was willing to put himself in danger. As the frogmen planted dynamite charges on an Inchon pier, Devlin's leg was caught on one of the posts. Devlin ordered the other frogmen back to the Devildog as he intended to die in the explosion rather than risk his men's lives. However Vestry realized Devlin was in trouble and returned to save his life. Unable to remove Devlin trapped foot and running out of time, Vestry cut off part of Devlin's leg then swam back to the Devildog with Devlin. A tourniquet prevented Devlin from bleeding to death. Just as Devlin was lifted into the Devildog the charges at the pier exploded.
--Battlefield I#2/5
images: (without ads)
Battlefield I#2/6, page 2, panel 5 (main)
Battlefield I#2/6, page 3, panel 1 (face)
Battlefield I#2/6, page 2, panel 3 (Becker and others)
Battlefield I#2/6, page 2, panel 1 (Coleridge)
Battlefield I#2/6, page 1, panel 2 (Cooper)
Battlefield I#2/6, page 3, panel 2 (Devildog)
Battlefield I#2/6, page 2, panel 4 (Devlin)
Appearances:
Battlefield I#2/6 (June, 1952) - unidentified writer, Werner Roth
(artist), Stan Lee (editor)
First posted: 09/20/2026
Last updated:
11/24/2025
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
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