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Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

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Ronca, Robert F. – KIA

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  • Ronca, Robert F. – KIA

Robert F. Ronca - KIA

Preferred Name: Robert
Date of Birth: October 23, 1923
Highest Military Grade: 0-4 – Major
Hometown: Norristown, PA
Headed West Date: February 19, 1965
Biography
Pilot Information
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On 19 February 1965 “Major Robert F. Ronca was attacking anti-aircraft positions near the Ban Ken Bridge in northern Laos. On his second run at the target, Ronca was killed when his F-100D (#55-3783) was brought down by enemy fire. His remains were recovered.” (1)

“Robert Ronca was born on October 21, 1923, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on December 12, 1942, and entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on June 30, 1943, earning his commission as a Flight Officer and his pilot wings at Foster Field, Texas, on March 12, 1944.

After serving as a test pilot at Perrin Field, Texas, FO Ronca deployed to New Guinea in June 1944, and served as a C-47 Dakota and C-46 Commando pilot with the 69th Troop Carrier Squadron from June 1944 to February 1945, followed by service as a C-47 pilot with the 318th Troop Carrier Squadron from February to November 1945.

Lt Ronca returned to the U.S. in November 1945, and then served at Greensboro, North Carolina, Ellington Field, Texas, and Keesler Field, Mississippi, before leaving active duty and joining the Air Force Reserve on December 11, 1946. He joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard on March 16, 1950, and went back on active duty with the U.S. Air Force on January 10, 1951.

After completing F-86 Sabre transition training, he served with the 335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Korea from November 1951 to July 1952, and then served with Headquarters Air Force Armament Center (later Air Proving Ground Center) at Eglin AFB, Florida, from July 1952 to February 1960. During his tour in Korea, Lt Ronca was credited with the destruction of 1 MIG-15 in aerial combat.

Capt Ronca next served as an F-100 Super Sabre pilot with the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Wethersfield, England, from February 1960 to July 1963, followed by service as Commander of the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron at England AFB, Louisiana, from July 1963 until he was killed in action over Laos while on temporary duty to Southeast Asia on February 19, 1965. “(1)

(1) coffeltdatabase.org and the book “F-100 Super Sabre Units of the Vietnam War” by Peter E. Davies and David Menard (2)af.mil;

Units Assigned

  • 12/12/1942 Enlisted in US Army Reserve
  • 6/30/1943 US Army Air Force Aviation Cadet Program
  • 3/12/1944 Earned Pilot Wings, Commissioned as Flight Officer, Foster Field, TX
  • 3/1944-6/1944 Test Pilot, Perrin Field, Texas,
  • 6/1944-2/1945 69th Troop Carrier Squadron, New Guinea (C-46, C-47)
  • 2/1945-11/1945 318th Troop Carrier Squadron (C-47)
  • 11/1945 Greensboro, NC/Ellington Field, TX/Keesler Field, MS
  • 12/11/1946 Joined Air Force Reserve
  • 3/16/1950-1/10/1951 PAANG
  • 1/10/1951-11/1951 Active Duty USAF, F-86 Sabre Training
  • 11/1951-7/1952 335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
  • 7/1952-2/1960- Headquarters Air Force Armament Center , Eglin AFB, FL
  • 2/1960-7/1963 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron,  RAF Wethersfield, England (F-100)
  • 7/1963-2/19/1965 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Commander, England AFB, LA
  • 2/19/1963 KIA over Laos while on temporary duty to Southeast Asia

Awards & Decorations

Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor Device and Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
Purple Heart
Air Medal
Air Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
AF Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Medal
1920px American Campaign Medal Ribbon
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Silver and 2 Bronze stars
World War II Victory Medal Ribbon
WWII Victory Medal
Army Of Occupation Ribbon
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star
Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA)
Air Force Longevity Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFResM)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal (with Bronze Star)
RVN Gallantry Cross With Palm
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
United Nations Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Republic Of Korea Korean War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal

Flight Info

C-46
C-47
F-86
F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1943 US Army Air Force Cadet Program

Ronca1
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