Col Robert Gideon, USAF Retired, was a 1939
graduate of West Point and was the 450th Bomb Group Vice-Commander, and later
Commander, in Italy during WWII.
After the war Col. Bob held
other important positions in the Army Air Corps and the US Air Force.
Among other things he was a Wing Commander in the Strategic Air Command under
General Curtis LeMay, the Inspector General for US Air Forces in Europe, and
the first Chief of Staff for the USAF Academy. He was the youngest officer ever
to graduate from the Army War College.
Bob had a keen eye for beauty and an ear for a good story and enjoyed a good
meal with an adult beverage.
He enjoyed world travel,
sharp shooting with precision rifles, collecting and selling Detonics and
Automag pistols, woodworking, knife making, photography, and entertaining
friends with interesting stories of his travels and military experiences.
He was a true Patriot who excelled
in everything he undertook.
Add the following:
Robert Royce Gideon
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Tennessee
Robert Gideon graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1939. He retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION: 1 of 3
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING https://valor.militarytimes.com/conflict/3" rel="nofollow - World War II
Service: https://valor.militarytimes.com/advanced-search?branch=15" rel="nofollow - Army Air Forces
Rank: https://valor.militarytimes.com/advanced-search?rank=289" rel="nofollow - Lieutenant Colonel
Division: 15th Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 88 (1944)
CITATION:
(Citation
Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Robert Royce Gideon,
Jr., United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military
operations against the enemy as Commanding Officer, 450th Bombardment
Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, during World War II.
Legion of Merit
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING https://valor.militarytimes.com/conflict/19" rel="nofollow - Cold War
Service: https://valor.militarytimes.com/advanced-search?branch=7" rel="nofollow - Air Force
Rank: https://valor.militarytimes.com/advanced-search?rank=122" rel="nofollow - Colonel
Division: U.S. Air Force Academy, Lowry Air Force Base
GENERAL ORDERS:
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates
CITATION:
(Citation
Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Colonel Robert Royce Gideon, Jr., United States Air
Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious
conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of
the United States as Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force Academy, Lowery Air
Force Base, from 1956 to 1957.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Distinguished
Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING https://valor.militarytimes.com/conflict/3" rel="nofollow - World War II
Service: https://valor.militarytimes.com/advanced-search?branch=15" rel="nofollow - Army Air Forces
Division: 15th Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates
CITATION:
(Citation
Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Robert Royce Gideon,
Jr., United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial
flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 450th Bombardment Group,
FIFTEENTH Air Force, during World War II. The skillful and zealous
manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his
devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an
inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions
reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the
United States.
-------------
Who was that masked man,,,