Robert Ray Scott

Robert Ray Scott
Colonel Robert R. Scott
Nickname(s) Bob
Born (1920-11-01)November 1, 1920
Des Moines, Iowa
Died October 3, 2006(2006-10-03) (aged 85)
Tehachapi, California
Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service 1941-1970
Rank Colonel
Unit 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron
8th Fighter-Bomber Group
355th Tactical Fighter Wing
Commands held 35th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
510th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
335th Tactical Fighter Squadron
6002nd Standardization/Evaluation Group
355th Tactical Fighter Wing
832nd Air Division
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Awards Silver Star (4)
Legion of Merit (3)
Distinguished Flying Cross (6)
Air Medal (16)

Robert Ray Scott (November 1, 1920 – October 3, 2006) was a career officer in the United States Air Force, who flew combat missions in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War .

During World War II, he flew the Northrop P-61 Black Widow in the China Burma India Theater and was credited in destroying two enemy aircraft in combat. During the Korean War, he flew North American F-86 Sabre and completed 117 missions during the war.

On 9 October 1955, Scott set a transcontinental speed record by flying a Republic F-84F Thunderstreak fighter bomber from Los Angeles International Airport to Floyd Bennett Field in New York, in 3 hours, 46 minutes, 33.6 seconds. Later he was a project officer at Edwards Air Force Base on the Republic F-105 Thunderchief.[1]

In 1966, Scott participated in his third war, as the commander of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, and flew a full tour of bombing and fighter missions over North Vietnam. He was credited in destroying 1 MiG-17 on March 1967, making only the second U.S. Air Force pilot, after Colonel Robin Olds, to achieve aerial victories during World War II and the Vietnam War. He retired from Air Force on 1970.[2]


Awards and Decorations

During his lengthy career, Scott earned many decorations, including:[3]

US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Silver Star with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters
V
Distinguished Flying Cross with V device and silver oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with bronze oak leaf cluster
V
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V device and two bronze oak leaf clusters
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze campaign stars
World War II Victory Medal
Bronze star
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Korean War Service Medal with two bronze campaign stars
Bronze star
Bronze star
Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze campaign star
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Silver star
South Korean Order of National Security Merit (Third Class) with silver star

  Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal (1st Class)

  Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

  Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross

  United Nations Service Medal

  Vietnam Campaign Medal

  Republic of China War Memorial Medal

  Korean War Service Medal

See Also

References

  1. "Robert R. Scott Archives - This Day in Aviation". This Day in Aviation.
  2. "Veteran Tributes". www.veterantributes.org.
  3. "Veteran Tributes". www.veterantributes.org.
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