In respectful remembrance of members who have passed.

In Loving Memory… Sergeant Robert Chesnut, was a pillar of the High Desert Marines, our most decorated member and a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, passed away on February 7, 2026, at the age of 76.

What makes a hero?

Bob Chesnut was a High Desert Marine who, like so many Marines, always had a story to tell. He loved talking to people and could be found at HDM events chatting with anyone who stopped by—especially fellow veterans. 

One of Bob’s favorite stories was about his decision to join the military in 1965. He didn’t want to disappoint his father, a World War II Navy veteran, by not following in his footsteps. His grandfather, an Army veteran, hoped he would become a soldier. What’s a son to do? With a chuckle, Bob would say, “So I joined the Marine Corps and made them both mad at me.”
 

Coming from a military family, he was always comfortable talking with veterans of every branch, but he was especially thrilled to meet Marines. He could strike up a conversation with any of them in an instant. When it came to veterans, Bob knew no strangers. 

Bob joined the Marines from his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts. At just 17—small in stature and with limited life experience—he had no way of knowing he would one day become a decorated hero. After boot camp at Parris Island, SC, and Infantry Training Regiment (ITR) at Camp Geiger, NC, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune. He had the opportunity to make a Mediterranean cruise aboard the USS Duluth before receiving orders to Vietnam. 

Assigned to the 26th Marines, Bob spent time at Phu Bai and Fire Base Charlie 2, where he conducted patrols and provided security on 6x6 vehicles along the road to Con Thien. It was during one of these missions that he was hit by mortar fire, shrapnel tearing into his ear—an injury that earned him the first of his two Purple Hearts.Patched up and back in the bush, Bob’s company was conducting a search-and-destroy operation near Khe Sanh Combat Base when they became heavily engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force occupying fortified positions. The Marines sustained numerous casualties. Bob saw a fellow Marine—the radio operator—lying seriously wounded in front of an enemy bunker. Without hesitation, he maneuvered across fire‑swept terrain, disregarding his own safety, and threw a grenade into the bunker. Before he could reach the injured Marine, he was struck by an enemy round. Although wounded, he recovered quickly and directed a heavy volume of fire into the hostile position. He then reached the injured Marine and helped carry him to relative safety. For this brave and selfless action, Bob was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the nation’s third‑highest decoration for valor in combat. Only after returning to base did he realize the bullet had ripped open a gash in his chest—his second Purple  Heart. He was stitched up by the corpsman and went back on patrol the same day. 

Bob returned from Vietnam in 1968. While on leave in his hometown, he met the love of his life, Diana. He always said it was love at first sight. They were married in a military wedding less than two years later. After more than 50 years of marriage, Diana passed away unexpectedly. Bob carried that loss with him every day until he joined her in eternal life last month. 

Bob later served a tour at Parris Island as a marksmanship instructor and reenlisted while at Camp Lejeune, receiving orders to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He served as a guard at the Naval Prison there until his discharge in 1975. 

The Chesnut family moved to the West Coast a few years later. They began their California adventure in Huntington Park and gradually moved away from the Los Angeles area, eventually settling in the High Desert. Health problems—later determined to be caused by Agent Orange—plagued Bob throughout his post‑active‑duty years. He battled cancer multiple times but never let his struggles keep him down. While he was able, he worked as a machinist, mechanic, and truck driver. Bob and Diana had four children and, as Bob liked to say, “too many grandchildren to count!” 

He loved sharing stories about his time with Leatherneck Nation, a motorcycle club made up of Marines. He cherished the camaraderie of riding his Harley‑Davidson Street Bob with his Marine brothers. When his health ended his riding days, that same camaraderie brought him to the High Desert Marines. Ever the gun enthusiast, he enjoyed recreational shooting and spending time with his family and many dogs and cats. He loved the openness of the High Desert and the quiet life in Phelan.

Bob could be seen at most HDM events, helping and talking with customers. He was an enthusiastic salesman and generous even to strangers. It wasn’t unusual for him to buy items from the HDM booth and give them to a veteran he had just met. When people learned of Bob Chesnut’s bravery in Vietnam and asked what he was thinking as he ran toward that bunker under fire, he was always humble. In his own words, when you’re faced with a situation, “you don’t think".

In Loving Memory… Sergeant Major Salvador (Sal) Isaac Navarro, a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, passed away July 29, 2024, at the age of 86.

He was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of Jesse and Consuelo Navarro.  Sal is the fourth son of five children, Jesse, Ramon, Robert and Helen. All are predeceased except for brother, Robert.

He enlisted with his parents consent at the age of 17.  After an illustrious 26-year career which included bravely serving in the Bay of Pigs Invasion and three deployments to Vietnam, he retired as Marine Corps Air Station Tustin Sergeant Major at the age of 43 in 1981.  After retirement, he continued serving his community and the local veterans as the esteemed Founder and first Commander of the High Desert Marines, February 3, 2007.  His leadership and compassion have touched countless lives, and his contributions will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.

Sal is survived by his wife, Linda Navarro and stepson, retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major Paul Quesada (Rocio).  He is also survived by his children with his former spouse, Mary Alice Navarro: retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Navarro (Michele), Teri Winne (Brian), Nora Nichols (Martin), Mara Navarro (Damien) and grandchildren.  Sal’s many nieces and nephews remember him fondly for his support, love, kindness and generosity.

Sal loved his dogs and to spend his time fishing & camping.  He also loved to dance, Rat Pack and John Wayne movies, listening to Frank Sinatra, playing golf, classic car shows and mentoring “Young Marines” to enlist in military service and have love for our country.

A viewing at Desert View Memorial Park, Victorville, CA will be held on Thursday, August 29th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at Riverside National Cemetery, August 30th, at 11:00 a.m.  Celebration of life to follow at March Field Air Museum, Riverside, CA.

In lieu of sending flowers donations can be made to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (nmcrs.org) or High Desert Marines (highdesertmarines.com) in memory of Sergeant Major Salvador Navarro.

Angel Medina

Angel a long time member and a HDM Board Director, passed away after suffering for months with cancer. Angel is fondly remembered for the many trips he planned for the group. He was a loyal friend to all who knew him and his contributions at committee and board meetings was insightful and valued.  Angel served in both the Marine Corps and the Army, but considered himself a Marine first – Once a Marine, Always a Marine.  Deepest sympathy is conveyed to Angel’s son, Brian. 

Al Watson

It is with profound sadness, that we announce the passing of Al Watson, one of the founding members of the High Desert Marines.  Al was a “bigger than life” Marine who rarely missed a monthly breakfast meeting or weekly social lunch with his Marine brothers and sisters. His kind and giving heart was evident at every breakfast where 90% of the raffle prizes offered each month were provided by Al. Additionally, he donated generously to the HDM coffers with regular contributions. Al will be remembered for his exuberant patriotic spirit and pride for the Corps. He never hesitated to don his dress blue uniform to represent the HDM at ceremonies and events, and always drew both admiring and questioning eyes with his Private First Class chevron and myriad of service stripes. Al’s military included both the Marine Corps and the Air Force. Joining the Marines in 1957, he earned the rank of PFC before leaving the Corps and enlisting in the Air Force. He retired from the Air Force in 1980, thus earning the active duty service stripes he was allowed to wear on his Marine uniform. Al was truly one of a kind. Al leaves his wife, Kimie and son Jimmy, to whom we offer our sincerest condolences.