Roger W. Mehle

Roger William Mehle (October 16, 1915 – August 30, 1997) was a United States Navy Rear admiral.

Early life and education Mehle was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended Walnut Hills High School.

Career Mehle graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1937 and he spent two years serving on the . He graduated from flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in June 1939, then joined VF-3 and carrier-qualified in July 1939. He was then transferred to VF-6 flying the Grumman F4F Wildcat as part of the 's air group.

World War II On 1 February, Enterprises Task Force 8 raided Kwajalein, Wotje, and Maloelap in the Marshall Islands, sinking three ships, damaging eight, and destroying numerous airplanes and ground facilities. That afternoon, the Japanese attempted a counterstrike against the Enterprise, Mehle took off and shot down a Japanese Aichi E13A seaplane and later with two other VF-6 fighters shot down a Mitsubishi G3M bomber. For his actions Mehle was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

On 24 February Mehle and two other VF-6 fighters shot down a Kawanishi H6K near Wake Island.

Mehle married Patricia Joan Joachim in 1956. They had two sons, Lance Renard Mehle (1957), and COL Charles Ramsey Mehle, II (1959).

Mehle died on August 30, 1997 at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia.