Olds returned to West Point, hoping to graduate early and see action in the war. [4], Olds was promoted to brigadier general after returning from Vietnam but did not hold another major command. Brig. [50], The 479th FG converted to the P-51 Mustang in mid-September. Gen. Robin Olds, a "triple ace" fighter pilot of World War II and the Vietnam War. To make a wonderfully long story short, they lost.. With the end of the war in Europe in May, Olds tally stood at 12 kills as well as 11.5 destroyed on the ground. The old ways were not only out, they were deceased. American Military Serviceperson Robin Olds was born Robert Oldys, Jr. on 14th July, 1922 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA and passed away on 14th Jun 2007 Steamboat Springs, Colorado, United States aged 84. Robin married Abigail Morgan Sellers Barnett in January 1978, and they divorced after fifteen years of marriage. The oldest of four, Olds spent the majority of his childhood at Langley Field, Virginia where his father was stationed as an aide to Brig. When the leaders were only interested in suiting up, he exercised some initiative. And when he could not wrangle a combat assignment in the Korean War, he participated in transcontinental jet races and flew with the Air Forces first aerobatic demonstration team. I rolled over on my back, following him and gave him an ineffective burst at long range. [101], We weren't allowed to dogfight. Robin Olds was an American fighter pilot and general officer in the United States Air Force. His fourth MiG kill in Vietnam was recreated in the season 2 episode "No Room For Error". Despite intense, accurately directed fire, multiple surface-to-air missile attacks on his force, and continuous harassment by MiG fighters defending the target, Colonel Olds, with undaunted determination, indomitable courage, and professional skill, led his force through to help destroy this significant bridge. Olds did not want to live in that world. Gen. Billy Mitchell. His instructor was Major William L. Kirk, the 4453rd CCTW's Standardization and Evaluation officer, who had been one of Olds' pilots at RAF Bentwaters, and who later commanded the United States Air Forces Europe as a full general. Because do you know what that is? Arriving in Britain in May 1944, Olds squadron quickly entered combat as part of the Allied air offensive before the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Chris Hemsworth 's wife Elsa Pataky had a few words to say about the rumours that Miley Cyrus ' song "Flowers" is about her brother-in-law Liam Hemsworth. Gen. Robin Olds, a World War II fighter ace who became an aviation legend by commanding the Air Force wing that shot down seven MIGs over North Vietnam in the biggest air battle of the. [25] In 1985 Olds was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. It caught us unprepared because we weren't allowed to learn it or practice it in training. His wife is Ella Raines (6 February 1947 - 1975) ( divorced) ( 3 children) Robin Olds Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. His 259 total combat missions included 107 in World War II and 152 in Southeast Asia, 105 of those over North Vietnam. This required some adjustment on Olds part as the single-engine Mustang handled differently than the twin-engine Lightning. with Robin McGraw," the 66-year-old admitted that she did have a cosmetic procedure a few years back, just not a face-lift. The 479th arrived in Scotland on May 14, 1944, and entrained for RAF Wattisham, in eastern England, where it arrived the next day. Olds was a team player as long as the team wanted to play. After damaging one of the jets in a chase meant to lure the fighter escort away from the bombers, the Mustangs returned to the bomber stream. His ashes were interred at the US Air Force Academy. [24], Olds developed ambivalent feelings about West Point, admiring its dedication to "Duty, Honor, Country", but disturbed by the tendency of many tactical officers to distort the purpose of its Honor Code. I regained control of the aircraft and pulled out above a wheat field. Like so many other pilots and WSOs, he was energized by the new COs press-on attitude. The group converted to P-51s in September but on October 30, 1944, while flying in unforecast turbulence, the wing of Zemkes P-51 was torn off. Colonel Olds' Air Force assignments took Susan and her family to South Carolina, England, North Africa, Washington D.C,. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Colonel Olds reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Says F-4 pilot and novelist Mark Berent, It was well written, as youd expect from Robin, but it wasnt really about him. Robin Olds dating history Relationships. The loss to the midshipmen was followed eight days later by the attack on Pearl Harbor. Olds ruled over a fiefdom like a feudal baron, enjoying the excitement of the hunt by day and discussing the great game with his men at arms by night. He served as commandant of cadets for three years and sought to restore morale in the wake of a major cheating scandal. Navy and Marine Corps fighters, reaping the benefits of their TOPGUN program, immediately enjoyed considerable success. Do you realize what responsibilities that put on your shoulders? Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, he received an assignment to report to the West Coast for training on P-38 Lightnings. Robin Olds [1] (July 14, 1922 - June 14, 2007) was an American fighter pilot and general officer in the U.S. Air Force. That fall, he was sent back to Southeast Asia to report on the combat readiness of USAF units in the region. After suggesting the idea to Seventh Air Force commander Major General William Momyer, himself a former commander of the 8th TFW, Olds was directed to plan a mission designed to draw the North Vietnamese Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21s into an aerial trap, and "Operation Bolo" resulted. Olds took to the air war over North Vietnam in an F-4C Phantom he nicknamed "Scat XXVII", in keeping with his previous combat aircraft that all carried the "Scat" name.[87]. Under Olds, the Wolfpack shot to the top of the Southeast Asia league, bagging 18 MiGs, and when he left, the wings kill ratio stood at 4-1. Gen. Robin Olds, a World War II fighter ace who became an aviation legend by commanding the Air Force wing that shot down seven MIGs over North Vietnam in the biggest air battle of the Vietnam War, died last Thursday at his home in Steamboat Springs, Colo. The baby had convulsions several times . She is a well-known actress who has appeared in many television shows. [44] Despite battle damage to his own plane, including loss of a side window of its canopy, Olds shot down two during the dogfight and another on the way home to become the first ace of the 479th FG. Robin Lord Taylor is an American television and film actor, and director. Under Olds predecessor, who seldom flew combat, the 8th had eked out a meager kill-loss ratio. Olds was also selected as an All-American as the cadets compiled a 63 record, beating Lafayette College, Cornell, Columbia, Harvard, VMI, and Princeton, and falling to Notre Dame, Penn, and Navy. He was a 2001 inductee of the National Aviation Hall of. By this time I was traveling in excess of 500mph (800km/h). He flew P-38s and P-51 Mustangs with the 434th Fighter Squadron, becoming the first Ace of the 479th Fighter Group in 1944-45. . In a gesture of individuality, he grew an enormous, meticulously waxed handlebar mustache. Over Btzow, undetected by the Germans, Olds and his wingman jettisoned their fuel drop tanks and attacked, although the second element of the flight had been unable to keep up during the climb.[43]. Christina Olds, daughter of the late Brig. Col. Robin Olds of the Eighth Tactical Fighter Wing with subordinate officers on returning from his 100th mission over North Vietnam. Promoted to Captain on July 24, on a low-level mission over Montmirail, he spotted two bogeys far in front of him, heading to his right, about 200 feet off the deck. Most everybody grew a mustache. [76] James and Olds worked closely together for a year as a command team and developed both a professional and social relationship which was later renewed in combat. "[99] Returning home, however, marked the end of this flamboyance. The wing had converted to the F101 and he loved to show us what it could do during annual air shows. Air Force pilots, he reported to the Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen John D. Ryan (a former SAC general and bomber pilot often at odds with the tactical fighter community), "couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag," because of a systemic lack of interest by the USAF in air-to-air combat training for fighter crews. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Christina Olds was born in Manhattan, NYC on January 5, 1952 and bounced around the world with her USAF fighter pilot father Robin Olds and Hollywood actress mother Ella Raines. What to do? [68], Olds was assigned to command the 71st Fighter Squadron, which was soon detached from the 1st FG to the Air Defense Command and based at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport in Pennsylvania. [85][a] James was named 8th TFW Vice Commander in June 1967, succeeding Garrison, who had completed his tour. Olds had administrative and staff duty assignments at the Pentagon between 1958 and 1962 as the Deputy Chief, Air Defense Division, Headquarters USAF. [94][95], Olds was known for the extravagantly waxed (and decidedly non-regulation) handlebar moustache he sported in Vietnam. Robin Olds [2] (July 14, 1922 - June 14, 2007) was an American fighter pilot and general officer in the United States Air Force (USAF). U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who served in both World War II and the Vietnam War. The unit was under the command of then-Col. Robin Olds, who James knew from working at the Pentagon. Remaining abroad for three years, he later oversaw the Weapons Proficiency Center at Wheelus Air Base, Libya. Learning of the outbreak of World War II while at Millard, he attempted to leave school and enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force. As recognized by the American Fighter Aces Association, Olds was the only pilot to "make ace" in both the P-38 (5 victories) and the P-51 (8 victories). Robin Olds (July 14th, 1922 - June 14th, 2007) was an American fighter pilot and general officer in the U.S. Air Force. Olds replied, "Yes, sir.". I knew McConnell understood. In other words, he went freelance. It was more about people he knew.. When he reported to his first interview with Air Force Chief of Staff General John P. McConnell, McConnell walked up to him, stuck a finger under his nose and said, "Take it off." This done, Olds was posted to the 479th Fighter Groups 434th Fighter Squadron with orders for Britain. Olds wears USAF flight gear typical of the 1967 time frame, including: K-2B Flying Suit, CSU-3/P Anti-G Suit, SRU-21/P Survival Vest, PCU-3/P Torso Harness, B-3A Gloves, and a Pilot's Survival Knife. [19], His father was made commander of the pioneer Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress equipped 2nd Bombardment Group at Langley Field on March 1, 1937, and promoted to lieutenant colonel on March 7. Sally Field "hates" that her "Mrs. Doubtfire" co-star Robin Williams is not here to "grow old" just like her. As a result, he missed service in the Korean War despite repeated applications for a combat assignment. Not Robin Olds. After her fathers death, Christina spent years combing through her fathers notes, diaries and unfinished memoir to complete a captivating, intimate memoir of the consummate fighter pilot. 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