Robert T. Latshaw

Robert Thomas Latshaw Jr. (August 20, 1925 – April 20, 1956) was a United States Air Force flying ace of the Korean War, credited with shooting down five enemy aircraft.[1][2]

Robert T. Latshaw
Latshaw with his F-86 Sabre in Korea
Born(1925-08-20)August 20, 1925
St. Louis, Missouri
DiedApril 20, 1956(1956-04-20) (aged 30)
near Boca del Rio Air Base, Venezuela
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Forces
United States Air Force
Years of service1943–1956
RankMajor
Battles/warsKorean War
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross (3)
Air Medal (6)

Early life

Latshaw was born on August 20, 1925, in St. Louis.

Military career

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on July 7, 1943, and on May 23, he was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program. On January 27, 1945, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings at Boca Raton Army Air Field in Florida. World War II ended before Latshaw could participate in combat missions and he left active duty on December 7, 1946. He returned to active duty in the newly created U.S. Air Force on October 10, 1947. He was promoted to rank of captain on January 16, 1951.[3]

Korean war

North American F-86F Sabres of the 335th FIS "Chiefs" over Korea

In the late 1951, he was assigned to 335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing at Kimpo Air Base in South Korea, during the Korean War. Flying the North American F-86A Sabre, Latshaw shot down his first MiG-15 on January 25, 1952, near Pyongyang. On the same year, the 4th FIW received the F-86E Sabre and Latshaw shot down his second MiG-15 over North Hamgyong on March 19. On April of the same year, he shot down two more MiG-15s. [4]

On May 3, 1952, Latshaw became the 13th American flying ace of the war, when he shot down his fifth MiG-15 over Yangsi, North Pyongan. He was also credited with damaging four MiG-15s during the war.[4][5]

Post war

After the war, Latshaw continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force. On April 20, 1956. he was killed in the crash of a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star near Boca del Rio Air Base in Venezuela. He was buried at the San Francisco National Cemetery.[3]

Awards and decorations

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
U.S. Air Force Senior Pilot Badge
Distinguished Flying Cross
with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters[6]
Air Medal
with silver oak leaf cluster
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Army Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal
with three bronze campaign stars
Air Force Longevity Service Award
with bronze oak leaf cluster
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation United Nations Service Medal for Korea Korean War Service Medal

See also

References

  1. Varhola 2000, p. 42
  2. Gurney 1958, p. 248
  3. "Robert T. Latshaw". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  4. Sherman, Stephen (December 2002). "Captain Robert T. Latshaw - Korean War Ace". Acepilots.com. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  5. "Robert T. Latshaw". Ciel De Gloire. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  6. "Valor Awards for Robert Thomas Latshaw". Military Times. Retrieved August 18, 2022.

Sources

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