Real American Hero........

The term 'Hero' is applied very loosely these days. Everything from TV actors to low budget politicians are being hailed as heroes at the drop of a hat.
Today's blog is of a real HERO of America... Robin
Olds was born in 1922 in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father
was General Robert Olds. After moving from base to
base as a military brat, Olds knew no other life than that
of a pilot. He attended West Point and even played
on the academy football team. Commissioned as a Second
Lieutenant in 1943, he was sent to the European theater of
World War II. Flying P-38 and P-51 aircraft, the young officer
immediately showed a no-fear aggressiveness for flying. Olds
recorded 12 confirmed kills during the remainder of the war.
On one such mission, Olds and his wingman jumped a flight
of German Messerschmidts numbering over 40. Olds shot down
three and his wingman another two. During Vietnam, Olds was
once again summoned into action. He commanded a squadron
of F-4 Phantoms based out of Thailand. Olds devised a plan where
his 'Wolfpack squadron' would fool the North Vietnamese into
believing their Phantoms were slower and heavier F-105 Thunderchief
aircraft. When the enemy Migs showed up over the skies of
Vietnam, Olds' Phantoms jumped them and sent six of them down
before they scattered and headed for home. After 107 combat missions over Europe and another 152 in Vietnam, Olds was brought home to
command the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. General Robin Olds was a 'lead from the front' and 'get the job done' type of officer. He
died June 14, 2007, having served in three wars and as a 'triple ace' with
16 confirmed kills of enemy aircraft. Rest In Peace Robin !!

(Editor's Note) I first met Robin Olds at a Vietnam Veterans Reunion
back in the early 1990's. I approached him about reviewing my book about
my time in Vietnam. He enthusiastically agreed! His emails were always a
delight for me. His critiques were sometimes good,..and sometimes harsh..
but always very complimentary to me personally. Always in demand for his speaking prowess, he would email me from all over the country and once
from Europe. The world is the worse for the loss of Robin Olds.