This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
White, Robert Michael, Maj Gen USAF(Ret).
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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 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar Length 86.48 ft | 26.36 m Width 109.32 ft | 33.32 m Height 26.25 ft | 8.00 m Engine(s) 2 x Wright R-3350-89 Cyclone 18-cylinder radial engines delivering 3,500hp each. Empty Weight 39,800 lbs | 18,053 kg MTOW 85,001 lbs | 38,556 kg Max Speed 217 mph | 350 km/h | 189 kts Max Range 1,771 miles | 2,850 km Ceiling 23,901 ft | 7,285 m | 4.5 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 0 Armament None. Accommodations 4 + 40 Operators Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Italy, India, Morocco, Norway, Vietnam (South) and the United states of America.
