Roberts, William Herbert
- Date of birth:
- October 21st, 1919 (Avoca/Pennsylvania, United States)
- Date of death:
- March 3rd, 2011 (New Holland/Pennsylvania, United States)
- Nationality:
- American (1776 - present, Republic)
Biography
Servicenumber 0-697585, Air Corps, U.S. Army.
William Herbert Roberts entered active service as 2nd Lieutenant on November 3rd, 1943. He left for Scotland on April 1st, 1944 to arrive there at April 6th. After his European service, he left for the United States on July 22nd, 1945, to arrive there on August 1st. During his operational period in Europe he flew a total of 99 missions.
Promotions:
3rd November 1943: 2nd Lieutenant;
8th November 1944: 1st Lieutenant;
9th April 1945: Captain;
22nd September 1955: Major (effective 1st July 1955);
3rd November 1964: Lieutenant Colonel.
Career:
26th June 1943: Primary Pilot Training;
2nd November 1943: Honorable Discharge (service from 9 February 1940);
2nd November 1943: Enlisted;
3rd November 1943; Appointed and Commissioned;
3rd June 1945: Recommendation for Future Assignment;
16th October 1945: Appointment in Officers Reserve Corp;
10th December 1945: Certificate of Service (service from 3 November 1943);
?: 9010 Air Reserve Squadron;
27th July 1956: Officer’s Active Duty Report;
21st October 1979: Retirement.
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Air Medal (AM)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- June 19th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- June 19th, 1944
Second Air Medal received in the form of a bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- June 1944
Third Air Medal received in the form of a second bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- July 28th, 1944
Fourth Air Medal received in the form of a third bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- July 28th, 1944
Fifth Air Medal received in the form of a fourth bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- September 15th, 1944
Sixth Air Medal awarded in the form of a fifth bronze oak leaf cluster and received as a first silver oak leaf cluster to replace the five previous awarded oak leaf clusters and to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- September 15th, 1944
Seventh Air Medal received in the form of a sixth bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- October 30th, 1944
Awarded for wounds received on June 25th, 1944 near Carentan, France.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- October 30th, 1944
Eighth Air Medal received in the form of a seventh bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- October 30th, 1944
Ninth Air Medal received in the form of an eighth bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- October 30th, 1944
Tenth Air Medal received in the form of a ninth bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- October 30th, 1944
Eleventh Air Medal awarded as a tenth oak leaf cluster and received as a second silver oak leaf cluster for replacement of the bronze oak leaf clusters and to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- December 21st, 1944
Twelth Air Medal received in the form of an eleventh bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- December 21st, 1944
Thirteenth Air Medal received in the form of a twelth bronze oak leave cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- January 16th, 1945
- Awarded for:
- Operation Overlord
Citation:
"For distinguishing himself by superior leadership, high courage and the employment of brilliant aerial tactics while participating in aerial flights in the European Theater of Operations.
On 8 June 1944, Lt. Roberts was leading an element of a 16-plane formation searching for targets of opportunity in the St. Lo area of France. A long column of approximately 25 enemy trucks, half-tracks and tanks moving south was sighted by Lt. Roberts, and receiving permission of his flight leader, he and his wingman immediately attacked the formidable enemey concentration. Deciding that the best tactic would be to create a road block at the head of the column. Lt. Roberts dived to a dangerously low level and with his wingman, created a roadblock and destroyed a large tank at the head of the column as a result of which the entire column was halted. Lt. Roberts and wingman then made six lethal and withering strafing attacks through a hail of ground fire which utterly destroyed and left burning the entire column of 25 vehicles. Lt. Roberts' cool courage, brilliant tacitcs and indifatigable aggressiveness made possible the destruction of an enormous quantity of enemy material completely out of perportion to his striking force.
The cool courage and superb airmanship displayed by Lt. Roberts on this mission typifies his performance on 68 hazardous missions and reflects highest credit on himself and the Army Air Forces."
General Orders No.7, Headquarters XII TAC, 16 January 1945.
"For distinguishing himself by superior leadership, high courage and the employment of brilliant aerial tactics while participating in aerial flights in the European Theater of Operations.
On 8 June 1944, Lt. Roberts was leading an element of a 16-plane formation searching for targets of opportunity in the St. Lo area of France. A long column of approximately 25 enemy trucks, half-tracks and tanks moving south was sighted by Lt. Roberts, and receiving permission of his flight leader, he and his wingman immediately attacked the formidable enemey concentration. Deciding that the best tactic would be to create a road block at the head of the column. Lt. Roberts dived to a dangerously low level and with his wingman, created a roadblock and destroyed a large tank at the head of the column as a result of which the entire column was halted. Lt. Roberts and wingman then made six lethal and withering strafing attacks through a hail of ground fire which utterly destroyed and left burning the entire column of 25 vehicles. Lt. Roberts' cool courage, brilliant tacitcs and indifatigable aggressiveness made possible the destruction of an enormous quantity of enemy material completely out of perportion to his striking force.
The cool courage and superb airmanship displayed by Lt. Roberts on this mission typifies his performance on 68 hazardous missions and reflects highest credit on himself and the Army Air Forces."
General Orders No.7, Headquarters XII TAC, 16 January 1945.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- February 5th, 1945
Fourteenth Air Medal received in the form of a thirteenth bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- February 5th, 1945
Fifteenth Air Medal received in the form of a fourteenth bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- February 5th, 1945
Sixteenth Air Medal awarded as a fifteenth bronze oak leaf cluster and received in the form of a third silver oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- February 19th, 1945
Seventeenth Air Medal received in the form of a sixteenth bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 81st Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- March 31st, 1945
Eightteenth Air Medal received in the form of a seventeenth bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Captain
- Unit:
- 15th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- December 10th, 1945
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Charles W Roberts
- - General Orders No. 61, Headquarters XII Tactical Air Command, 30 October 1944
- General Orders No.7, Headquarters XII TAC, 16 January 1945
- Certificate of retirement
- Military Record and Report of Separation, Certificate of Service
Photo
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