This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
White, Robert Michael, Maj Gen USAF(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town New York City, NY
Last Address Orlando, Florida
Date of Passing Mar 17, 2010
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
He flew 52 combat missions in WWII, was shot down, and became a POW. He was the first pilot to fly an aircraft at Mach 4, 5, and 6. He flew 70 combat missions in the Vietnam War.
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 Robert M. White (AFSN: 0-24589A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Mission Commander and Pilot of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 11 August 1967. On that date, Colonel White led the entire combat force against a key railroad and highway bridge in the vicinity of Hanoi. In spite of 14 surface-to-air missile launches, MiG interceptor attacks, and intense anti-aircraft artillery fire, he gallantly led the attack. By being the first aircraft to dive through the dark clouds of bursting flak, Colonel White set an example that inspired the remaining attacking force to destroy the bridge without a single aircraft being lost to the hostile gunners. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Colonel White reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model McDonnell Douglas / Boeing F-15A Eagle Length 63.78 ft | 19.44 m Width 42.78 ft | 13.04 m Height 18.50 ft | 5.64 m Engine(s) 2 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100 turbofan engines with afterburn generating 25,000lbs of thrust. Empty Weight 27,000 lbs | 12,247 kg MTOW 56,002 lbs | 25,402 kg Max Speed 1,650 mph | 2,655 km/h | 1,434 kts Max Range 600 miles | 966 km Ceiling 62,992 ft | 19,200 m | 11.9 miles Climb Rate 50,000 ft/min (15,250 m/min) Hardpoints 7 Armament 1 x M61A1 20mm cannon
Mission-specific ordnance can include any of the following:
