Robert Wayne Whalen Jr. was a 9-year-old boy from Corpus Christi, Texas, who was killed on December 31, 1971, when his family was attacked in their home. The assault also claimed the lives of his father, Robert Wayne Whalen Sr., and the children’s siblings. The attacker was identified as a fellow Navy Chief Petty Officer stationed at the Corpus Christi Naval Station.

Investigators reported the assailant had a record of disciplinary problems and prior reprimands. Motive was described as personal grievances amid a breakdown in the assailant’s mental state. Legal proceedings resulted in charges for multiple counts of murder; the jury found the defendant guilty on all counts and he was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

The killings brought heavy local attention and prompted scrutiny of military disciplinary and mental health issues as well as concerns about security for service members’ families.