Robert R. Scott

Robert Ray Scott (November 1, 1920 – October 3, 2006) was a career officer in the United States Air Force, who flew combat missions in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War.

Early life Scott was born at Des Moines, Iowa, on 1920 to Ray Scott and Elva M. Scott. After graduating from North High School in Des Moines in January 1939, he studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Iowa for two years.

Military career On August 15, 1941, he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Corps, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant and earned his pilot wings on 16 March 1942. Afterwards, he was assigned as an instructor pilot at Victorville Army Air Field in California, from March 1942 to January 1944. At this time, he was promoted to first lieutenant.

After returning to the United States in December 1953, he was appointed as commander of the 510th Fighter-Bomber Squadron at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, where he flew the F-84 Thunderjet.

In 1966, Scott participated in the Vietnam War, as the commander of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, and flew a full tour of bombing and fighter missions over North Vietnam, while flying the F-105 Thunderchief. He was credited in destroying a North Vietnamese Air Force MiG-17 on March 26, 1967. He flew a total of 134 missions during the war.

Scott died on October 3, 2006, at the age of 85, in Tehachapi, California. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Awards and decorations During his lengthy career, Scott earned many decorations, including: