Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
Royce
Gideon
, Jr.
July 28, 1916

–

January 9, 2005

Born:

Gibson County

, 

Tennessee

Home:

Jackson

, 

Tennessee

Buried: 

Kent

, 

Washington

Cemetery:

Tahoma National Cemetery

Robert Gideon graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1939. He retired in 1962 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    450th Bomb Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Robert Royce Gideon, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 450th Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    U.S. Air Force Academy, Lowry Air Force Base

    Action Date:

    1956 – 1957
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Robert Royce Gideon, Jr., United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force Academy, Lowery Air Force Base, from 1956 to 1957.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    450th Bomb Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 88 (March 1, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Robert Royce Gideon, Jr. (ASN: 0-22064), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber and as Commanding Officer of the 450th Bomb Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, in 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Gideon demonstrated clear thinking, sound judgment, and gallant leadership as wing commander of five groups of B-24 Liberator Bombers during a raid on a German aircraft assembly plant. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Gideon, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.