Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 3 Line: 3

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Charles Roberts

Ray O. Roberts, Colonel USAF (Ret.)

Col. Roberts grew up near Savannah, Ga., and graduated from Savannah High School. He earned a B.S. Degree from the University of Maryland and an M.B.A. from George Washington University. His Military Education included Radio Operator/Mechanic and Radar Schools, Anti Aircraft Artillery OCS (commissioned Second Lt. before age 21), USAAF Pilot Training, plus other service schools.

He is a Veteran of five wars: WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, The Cold War, and the Iranian Revolution. He completed 110 combat missions over enemy lands.

Col. Roberts entered service with the Georgia National Guard in Sept. 1940 and served successively as an enlisted soldier in the Field Artillery and the Army Air Corps and as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Officer in 90 mm gun and Automatic Weapons Battalions.

Next he transferred to the U.S. Air Force, where he was a Flight Instructor, Fighter Pilot, Photo Reconnaissance Pilot, Test Pilot, and served in Research and Development and in Command and Staff Positions from Squadron to Major Command.

He has flown over 75 different types of aircraft, and was a test pilot on the F-84, F-86,
F-100, F-111, and Hawker Hunter Aircraft.

He commanded a British Fighter Squadron for 2 years as an exchange officer during which time Her Majesty The Queen personally presented his Squadron with its Battle Standard.

On the 40th Anniversary of Lindberg's historic 33 hour transatlantic flight, Col. Roberts flew the F-111 from Maine to the Paris Air Show in 5 hours, 27 minutes without external tanks or in flight refueling (an unofficial record.)

During the Korean War he flew combat missions in F-80 and F-84 aircraft and served as a Forward Air Control Officer with the South Korean Army.

He was Director of Flight Test and Drone Organizations at the Air Force Missile Development Center, and Chief Air Force test pilot at General Dynamics Aircraft Factory. Col. Roberts directed and participated as test pilot in the F-111 Test Program.

During the Cold War he commanded a Nuclear Strike Squadron in Europe.

He served as a Tactical Inspector in the Air Defense Command.

He was Vice Commander of an Air Division in Southeast Asia then retired after over 31 years service. He earned 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 3 Air Medals, The Bronze Star plus numerous other awards and decorations.

In his retirement years he worked as a Project Engineer in the Aerospace Industry and on the Space Shuttle Programs.