What was supposed to be another ordinary day for Robert H. Luckett and the other inhabitants of the SS Cape San Juan was a day that will leave in infamy for the survivors. Luckett is assumed to have met his demise on November 11, 1943 in the Pacific near the Fiji Islands. Boarded on Cape San Juan, he became a victim of the ship’s attack.
At five thirty in the morning, Cape San Juan, was hit by a Japanese torpedo from a submerged submarine. Cape San Juan was struck on the starboard side far below the water line. After the impact, an explosion quickly followed. Unfortunately, the point of contact where the torpedo hit, and where the explosion occurred was the location of approximately 744 passengers' bunks. It is unknown exactly where Luckett was during the time of impact but as the attack occurred right before breakfast. Because of this, it is assumed that he along with many others were still in bed. If Luckett managed to survive the initial impact and explosion, the chaos of the following minutes was undoubtedly the cause of his untimely demise.
Detailed by Captain Herbert Edward Bass, “I counted about twenty bodies down there in the water. They were all covered with grease and oil making it impossible to recognize anyone.” Captain Bass’ account describes the disarray within the immediate aftermath of the explosion. Identities concealed by the wreckage made difficult for distinguishing each soldier. One soldier even, in the struggle, lost his dog tag. According to the report everything went according to procedure, and no panic was accounted outside of the explosion. However, from the telling's of soldiers it is seen there was at least a little alarm. Accounts detail African American soldiers’ fears of jumping into the water, some drowning once they did. Descriptions of misapplied life-vests, which caused individuals to get knocked unconscious and drown was another tragic reality of the panic that ensued. It was also reported where the very lifeboats supposed to save the men were released unfortunately released onto already swimming men killing them. It is impossible to know which of the fates Robert H. Luckett could have been met with. It will remain unknown whether he died in the initial explosion or somewhere thereafter. Though, Robert and several others were lost in the attack, the SS Cape San Juan saw the survival of all but 117 men. Through a rescue mission, the great efforts of other soldiers and survivors saw the recovery of 712 soldiers in the 855th EAB and the surviving members of the other two United States Army Forces units.