Brig. Gen. Robin Olds was an American fighter pilot and general officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was a “triple ace”, with a combined total of 16 victories in World War II and the Vietnam War. He retired in 1973 as a Brigadier General. He served from 1943 until 1973.
The son of Army Maj. Gen. Robert Olds, educated at West Point, and the product of an upbringing in the early years of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Olds epitomized the youthful World War II fighter pilot. He remained in the service as it became the United States Air Force, despite often being at odds with its leadership, and was one of its pioneer jet pilots. Rising to the command of two fighter wings, Olds is regarded among aviation historians, and his peers, as the best wing commander of the Vietnam War, for both his air-fighting skills, and his reputation as a combat leader.
Olds was promoted to brigadier general after returning from Vietnam but did not hold another major command. The remainder of his career was spent in non-operational positions, as Commandant of Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy and as an official in the Air Force Inspector General’s Office. His inability to rise higher as a general officer is attributed to both his maverick views and his penchant for drinking.
Olds had a highly publicized career and life, including marriage to Hollywood actress Ella Raines. As a young man he was also recognized for his athletic prowess in both high school and college, being named an All-American as a lineman in college football. Olds expressed his philosophy regarding fighter pilots in the quote: “There are pilots and there are pilots; with the good ones, it is inborn. You can’t teach it. If you are a fighter pilot, you have to be willing to take risks.”
•Air Force Cross
•Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
•Silver Star, three oak leaf clusters
•Legion of Merit
•Distinguished Flying Cross, five oak leaf clusters.
•Air Medal, with 39 oak leaf clusters.
•Air Force Commendation Medal
•Presidential Unit Citation, with oak leaf cluster •Outstanding Unit Award, with two oak leaf clusters
•American Defense Service Medal
•American Campaign Medal
•European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with six campaign stars
•World War II Victory Medal
•National Defense Service Medal, with second service star.
•Vietnam Service Medal
•Air Force Longevity Service Award, with six oak leaf clusters
•Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Medal
•Légion d'honneur
•Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom); •Croix de Guerre (France), with star
•Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross with Gold Wings •Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
•Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order, 2nd Class
•Vietnam Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
He was awarded a fourth Silver Star for leading a three-aircraft low-level bombing strike on March 30, 1967, and the Air Force Cross for an attack on the Paul Doumer Bridge in Hanoi on August 11, one of five awarded to Air Force pilots for that mission. He flew his final combat mission over North Vietnam on September 23, 1967.
Air Force Cross Citation
Colonel Robin Olds
U.S. Air Force
Date Of Action: August 11, 1967
“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Colonel Robin Olds (AFSN: 0-26046), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Strike Mission Commander in the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, against the Paul Doumer Bridge, a major north-south transportation link on Hanoi’s Red River in North Vietnam, on 11 August 1967. On that date, Colonel Olds led his strike force of eight F-4C aircraft against a key railroad and highway bridge in North Vietnam. Despite intense, accurately directed fire, multiple surface-to-air missile attacks on his force, and continuous harassment by MiG fighters defending the target, Colonel Olds, with undaunted determination, indomitable courage, and professional skill, led his force through to help destroy this significant bridge. As a result the flow of war materials into this area was appreciably reduced. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Colonel Olds reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
Brig Gen Robin Olds died on June 14, 2007. He was 84 years old.
(Wiki)
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