Robin Olds
| Robin Olds | |
|---|---|
Col Robin Olds with his trademark mustache, conducting a pre-combat mission walk around inspection of his F-4 fighter, at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, circa Sept 1967.
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| Birth name | Robert Oldys, Jr. |
| Born |
July 14, 1922 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Died | June 14, 2007 (aged 84) Steamboat Springs, Colorado, U.S. |
| Place of burial | United States Air Force Academy Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force
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| Years of service | 1943–1973 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
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| Commands held |
 434th Fighter Squadron No. 1 Squadron RAF 86th Fighter-Interceptor Group 81st Tactical Fighter Wing 8th Tactical Fighter Wing
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
 Air Force Cross Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star (4) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (6) Air Medal (40)British Distinguished Flying Cross Croix de Guerre with Star (France) |
| Spouse(s) |
Ella Raines (1947–1976; divorced) Abigail Morgan Sellers Barnett (1978–1993; divorced) |
| Relations | Robert Olds (father) |
Robin Olds (July 14, 1922 – June 14, 2007) 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.
The son of Army Air Forces Major General 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."
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