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Inventory Clearance "Col Robin Olds" Robin Olds grew up with aviation combat in his blood. is father served as a pilot in France in World War I and was responsible for Robin’s burning desire to be a pilot. His father was a strong advocate of air power and was the commander of the 2nd Bomb Group, which was the first group to operate the Boeing B-17. In 1940 Robin entered West Point where he played football. He became an All American tackle in 1942 and was captain of the point team. Robin received his wings in June 1943, and started operational training in the Lockheed P-38. In May 1944 he went overseas with the 479th Fighter Group, 434 Fighter Squadron. His Squadron was stationed at RAF Wattisham, England. Here he flew many missions over France prior to the Allied Invasion. On June 5th Robin’s squadron flew cover for the Allied Armada on its way to Normandy and was there at dawn to cover the initial landings. On August 13th, close to Montmirail, France, Robin surprised two Focke Wulf 190’s flying low and was able to down both aircraft. This was his first aerial combat. Two weeks later he and his wingman bounced 55 to 60 Bf 109’s, which were heading for the American bomber force. The engagement began at 28,000 feet over Muritz Zee, Germany and ended down on the deck near Rostock on the Baltic Sea. Robin shot down three of the Bf 109’s and had his canopy shot away in the fierce fight. It was a long cold trip back to England. In his second aerial combat he attained ace status and earned the Silver Star. In the fall his Squadron converted to P-51 Mustangs. He served two tours flying a total of 107 missions. Many of the missions were long-range bomber escorts and strafing of enemy airfields and other facilities. At the end of the war he commanded the 434th Squadron and was a Major at the age of 22 credited with 24.5 combat victories. Thirteen victories were in aerial combat and 11.5 on the ground. After the war he joined a squadron equipped with the new P-80 jet and soon became wingman on the first jet aerobatics team formed by the Air Force. In 1946 he also placed second in the Thompson Trophy Races at Cleveland Ohio flying one of the new jets. In 1948, Robin was honored to serve with and command Number One Squadron of the Royal Air Force. The unit was equipped with the new Gloster Meteor jet. In September 1966 as the war in Viet Nam raged, Olds became commander of the 8th Tactical Wing. Robin flew the above worn F4C Phantom II named “Scat XXVIIâ€. Olds earned his second Oak Leaf Cluster to his Silver Star on January 2, 1967 when he downed a Mig-21 during “Operation Bolo.†His third Oak Leaf Cluster was awarded for “exemplary airmanship, exemplary heroism, and indomitable aggressiveness†in a low level bombing run against the Thai Ngyen steel mill blast furnaces. Olds also received the Air Force Cross for participating in the Paul Doumier Bridge Raid. During his tour in Vietnam he flew a total of 152 combat missions with 115 missions over North Vietnam. Olds shot down two Mig 17’s and two Mig 21’s in aerial combat raising his aerial combat score to 17 or 28.5 counting his grounds victories. After his tour in Viet Nam he served three years as the Commandant of Cadets at the Air Force Academy. He retired as the Chief of Safety of the United States Air Force in 1973. His many awards are the Air Force Cross, The Silver Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with thirty-nine Oak Leaf Clusters, the Royal Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, and two South Vietnam awards, the DSO, and the Air Gallantry Medal. Signed/Framed and ready to hang. Free shipping to domestic US locations. International shipping determined by destination. other shipping charges are determined by destination. Overall size is perfect at 8"x10". MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover and eCheck accepted thru Paypal. Please check out my other great aviation/military related prints. Just click on "View Seller's Other Items" above. Shipping Discounts for winners of multiple auctions. Powered by eBay Turbo Lister The free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items.
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