Robert B. Sherman

Robert B. Sherman (b. 1925) is an Academy Award™ and Grammy™ Award winning songwriter most famous for his contributions to the musical motion pictures, Mary Poppins, Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Charlotte's Web. One half of the venerable songwriting team, the Sherman Brothers, Robert is the son of tin pan alley songwriter Al Sherman. Born in New York City, Sherman is a decorated World War II veteran. He spent most of his adult life in Los Angeles, moving to London, England after his wife of 48 years, Joyce died in 2001.

World War II
In 1943, Sherman obtained permission from his parents to join the army at age 17. Sherman was awarded the Purple Heart medal after being shot in the knee on April 12, 1945, an injury which forced him to walk with a cane for the rest of his life. on April 29, 1945, Sherman was among the first soldiers who entered the Dachau concentration camp. Other medals received by Sherman for service in the war were the Combat Infantryman Badge, two Battle Stars for his European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, an American Campaign Medal, a World War II Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal, and several Army Weapons Qualifications badges.

While recuperating from his knee injury in Taunton and Bournemouth in England, Sherman became familiar with the United Kingdom and its culture.