Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 1 Line: 64

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Captain Robert Lee Swofford, born 19 April 1922 in Hollis, North Carolina.

World War II (WWII) service - Nov 1939 to Oct 1945

Served one year with the 34th Infantry Division at Camp Clairborne, LA.

Entered the Air Force flight training program in Feb 1942. Commissioned in Feb 1943.

Departed USA December 17, 1943, flying a B-24 to England via South America and Africa. Arriving January 2,1944.

Flew thirty bombing missions with the 445th Bomb Group, as Squadron Lead Pilot. On a mission to the Berlin area was attacked by German ME109s and lost two engines. Was able to fly the ship back to England and crash landed with no injuries. On D-Day led a twelve-plane formation and bombed two bridges and stopped the German Tanks from getting to the beachheads.

Flew a C-54 from Karichi, India to Cairo, Egypt carrying the Chinese Delegation to the Dumbarton Oaks Conference that started the United Nations in March 1945. Flew C-54 transport between New York and Paris carrying priority cargo over and wounded soldiers home.

Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster and Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters.

Retired as a United Airlines captain.