Robert J. Keen

Military career He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on June 3, 1942, and on November 13, he entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings on August 30, 1943.

World War II

After completing his training in the P-47 Thunderbolt, Keen was assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group at RAF Halesworth in January 1944. He scored his first aerial victories on May 13, when he shot down three Focke-Wulf Fw 190s and one probable shootdown of an Fw 190 over Hagenow, Germany, while protecting a formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses. For his actions, Keen was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

He scored his final aerial victories on July 5, when he shot down three Messerschmitt Bf 109s over Évreux, France, thus becoming a flying ace.

Aerial victory credits SOURCES: Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II

Awards and decorations His awards include: