Schumacher, Robert Edward 'Bob' (USN)

Date of birth:: April 23rd, 1924
Date of death:: May 19th, 2016 (Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA)
Service number:: NSN: 0-337384
Nationality:: American

Biography

00.00.1953: joined Lockheed as a Test Pilot
00.00.1956: began testing the U2 Spy Plane
00.00.1965: became the first pilot to land the U2 on an aircraft carrier
00.05.1980: retired from Lockheed as the L1011 Chief Test Pilot

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant (junior grade)
Unit:: Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)
Awarded on:: July 4th, 1945

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert E. Schumacher (NSN: 0-337384), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VB-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet in the East China Sea near Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Schumacher drove home a fearless and skillfully executed attack despite adverse weather and in the face of intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire from all ships of this force. He bombed an enemy cruiser, materially contributing to the damage inflicted upon it. His resolution and courage were outstanding and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0592

Sources

- Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present, by C. Douglas Sterner