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Working in the engine room, deep in the belly of the HMCS sioux, Robert Alan Cato's admired the guys on the deck and the captain who used strategy and cunning to command the ship.

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Robert Alan Cato (Kato)
1946
Vancouver, British Columbia

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Robert Alan Cato (Kato) was born December 3, 1928 in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Cato's father was a Japanese Canadian who served Canada in the only capacity open to him during World War II, the Intelligence Corps, Cato too, was excited to join the services when he came of age. After failing in his attempt to join the American Navy Cato was forced to wait until 1946 when he signed on with the Canadian Navy.

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Crew of the HMCS Sioux
1950
Formal Military Portrait

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In 1950, Robert Cato got his chance to go to war. He headed to Korea aboard the newly re-fitted Destroyer HMCS Sioux.

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Ship Holding Guns on Enemy Vessel
1950
Korean Waters

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Mine Explosion in Korean Waters during the Korean War
1950
Korean Waters

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Cato was an engineer and served in the ship's engine room keeping watch and acting on signals from the bridge. During the next several months, the crew of the HMCS Sioux was involved in train busting, bombarding land targets and raids carried out in cooperation with Dutch and British Navy vessels.

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Robert Cato with shipmates in HMCS Sioux Dining Room during Korean War
1950
HMCS Sioux

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As the child of a Japanese father and a British mother, Cato had difficulty fitting in, but his time in the Canadian Navy put an end to that period in his life. 'Life was ...grand, I really felt like somebody, I really felt like I belonged to something, without prejudice.'

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HMCS Sioux Returning from Korea
4 February 1951
Esquimalt, British Columbia

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When the HMCS Sioux returned to Canada in February 1951 they received a hero's welcome from the people of Esquimalt. The boat was met by a huge crowd of family, friends and grateful Canadians.

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Robert Cato home from Korea
1951
Vancouver, British Columbia

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Reporters followed young Robert Cato home and snapped photographs of his reunion with his mother, sister and fiancee.