Remembering the "Scat"

He was a veteran of WW II and Vietnam. He earned more combat medals than you could carry. He became a "triple ace," even though it took 23 years. His exploits as the creator and Mission Commander of "Operation Bolo," the most successful aerial battle of the Vietnam conflict, were documented by the History Channel Dogfights Special series, "Air Ambush." And he was inspiration and motivation to thousands, military and civilians, alike, over many years.

Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF, Retired, passed away peacefully in his sleep Thursday at age 84, leaving a void that will not soon be filled.

"Triple-ace Robin Olds' legendary leadership and heroic service to the cause of freedom have been an inspiration to our nation and our Air Force," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "He is one of our 'great captains' and a pioneer of air power.

"He became an ace with 12 aerial victories during World War II, flying P-38 Lightnings and P-51 Mustangs, and later shot down 4 Migs in Vietnam to bring his total to 16. He also led the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing -- the famed "Wolfpack" -- to a record 24 aerial victories, a total unsurpassed by any other wing during the war in Southeast Asia," the general said.

"Throughout his career, he was a staunch advocate for better fighters, better pilot training and new tactics, culminating in the war-winning air-to-air tactics and doctrine of surgical precision bombing we use today. Brigadier General Olds' courageous life stands as a timeless example of the power of faith and the strength of the human spirit."

From a military family, himself, Olds was born in Honolulu, the son of Army Air Corps Maj. Gen. Robert and Eloise Olds.

He spent his younger years and schooling in Hampton, VA, and attended the US Military Academy, West Point, NY, where he was an All American tackle in 1942. He was commissioned as second lieutenant in June 1943 and completed pilot training in 1943.

General Olds he was assigned to the European Theater at the end of WWII where he flew 107 combat missions, beginning in a P-38 Lightning named "Scat 1." At the end of the war he was flying "Scat VII," a P-51 Mustang.

He shot down a total of 17 enemy aircraft, and was credited with 24.5 victories, 12 aircraft shot down, and 11½ aircraft destroyed on the ground.

He was assigned to the first jet P-80 squadron in 1946. In October 1948 he went to England under the US Air Force - Royal Air Force Exchange Program and served as commander of No. 1 Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Station Tangmere. The squadron was equipped with the Gloster Meteor jet fighter.

He was wing man on the first jet acrobatic team in the Air Force and won second place in the Thompson Trophy Race, Jet Division, in Cleveland, 1946. He participated in the first one-day, dawn-to-dusk, transcontinental round trip flight in June 1946 from March Field, CA, to Washington, DC and back.

Having shot down 13 enemy aircraft over Europe, General Olds became a Triple Ace 23 years later during the Vietnam Conflict when he downed four Migs.

He entered Southeast Asian combat flying in "Scat XXVII," an F-4 Phantom II, completing 152 combat missions, including 105 over North Vietnam. Utilizing air-to-air missiles, he shot down over North Vietnam two Mig-17 and two Mig-21 aircraft, two of them on one mission.

He assumed duties as commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in September 1966. He returned to the US in December 1967 and served as the commandant of cadets at the US Air Force Academy through January 1971.

During his military career, General Robin Olds served his country in assignments to England, Germany, Libya, Thailand and the US, in positions of Squadron, Base, Group, and Wing Commander.

His staff assignments included Headquarters US Air Force and the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was a 1963 graduate of the National War College.

General Olds' military decorations include the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with 5 oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 39 Oak Leaf Clusters, British Distinguished Flying Cross, French Croix de Guerre, Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order, Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal with Gold Wings, Vietnam Air Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was a command pilot.

He was promoted to the temporary grade of Brigadier General June 1, 1969, with date of rank May 28, 1968.

His final assignment before retiring from the Air Force in 1973 was as director of aerospace safety in the Air Force Inspection and Safety Center, a separate operating agency and an organization of the Office of the Inspector General, Headquarters US Air Force. General Olds had worldwide responsibility for the development and implementation of policies, standards and procedures for programs in safety education, accident investigation and analysis, human factors research, and safety inspection to prevent and reduce accidents in Air Force activities.

Up to a few months prior to his illness, General Olds was frequently called upon as guest speaker and lecturer for his inspirational and motivational talks and he traveled all over the world speaking to military and civilian groups.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his devoted family as they mourn his loss, a loss we feel as well," General Moseley said. "America and our Air Force are eternally grateful for his leadership and accomplishments, and will remember him always."

A memorial service will be held at the US Air Force Academy within the next two weeks. Contributions can be made to the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association towards scholarships for the children or spouses of armed forces aircrew members killed or missing in action.

The Brigadier's family has asked for privacy during this time of mourning.

FMI: www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6651