Robert Titus studied engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1945, serving as a squad leader with the 82d Airborne Division. He was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 1949. During the Korean War he flew 101 combat missions in F-51 and F-86 aircraft as a flight commander and assistant operations officer. He flew 400 combat missions in North and South Vietnam and destroyed three MiG-21s in aerial combat. Two days before he earned the Air Force Cross, he earned the Silver Star in another mission. During his military service he earned a master of business administration degree from the University of Chicago, and graduated from the Harvard Business School Advanced Management program in 1968. He retired 1977 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General.
Sponsored by:
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Robert F. Titus (AFSN: 0-26472), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Flight Leader in a flight of three F-51 type aircraft near Sohui-ri, Korea on 3 March 1952. After leading the flight through dense clouds to the target, Lieutenant Titus commenced a series of destructive attacks on mortar positions and bunkers in the area. Lieutenant Titus personally destroyed two heavy mortar positions, two bunkers and an ammunition dump. As a result of Lieutenant Titus’ bravery and exceptional airmanship the defensive potential of the enemy was lessened.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Robert F. Titus (AFSN: 0-26472), 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. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Titus and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Titus (AFSN: 0-26472), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Aircraft Commander against an opposing armed force near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam on 1 July 1967. On that date, Colonel Titus made multiple passes against a well-defended high priority storage area located in North Vietnam. As a result of his precise weapons delivery, forty secondary explosions occurred. This single outstanding mission severely weakened the unfriendly forces logistics re-supply network. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Titus reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert F. Titus (AFSN: 0-26472), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in the first flight of a single engine jet aircraft over the North Pole on 7 August 1959. During the performance of this mission, Captain Titus displayed outstanding skill and initiative in accomplishing a non-stop flight from England to Alaska. His courage and skill were reflected in the requirement to navigate accurately over treacherous polar regions, and to successfully intercept and conduct refueling from tanker aircraft. Captain Titus’ outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
389th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
366th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
May 20, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-975 (July 8, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Titus (AFSN: 0-26472), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-4C Flight Commander in the 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action near Yen Bay, North Vietnam, on 20 May 1967. On that date, Colonel Titus, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, repeatedly and unhesitatingly engaged numerous MiGs in defense of friendly aircraft. During three daring encounters, Colonel Titus destroyed one MiG 21 and his flight destroyed a second MiG 21. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Titus has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
389th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
366th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
May 22, 1967
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-400 (November 3, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Titus (AFSN: 0-26472), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4C Mission Commander in the 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 22 May 1967. On that date, Colonel Titus led his flight into one of the most heavily defended areas of North Vietnam in direct support of F-105 strike aircraft operations. Undaunted by accurate flak and five surface-to-air missiles that were launched at his aircraft, he repeatedly and unhesitatingly engaged numerous MiG-21s in defense of the friendly aircraft. During these aggressive and courageous aerial encounters, Colonel Titus destroyed two MiG-21 aircraft. As a direct result of his tenacity and extreme bravery in the face of great danger, the F-105 force was able to accomplish its assigned mission. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Colonel Titus reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
10th Fighter Commando SquadronAction Date:
July 9, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Titus (AFSN: 0-26472), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron while participating in aerial flight near Route 13, Republic of Vietnam, on 9 July 1966. On that date, Colonel Titus demonstrated outstanding airmanship and courage in the highly successful accomplishment of a close air support mission under extremely hazardous conditions, including continuous exposure to intensive, hostile ground fire. Colonel Titus executed multiple bombing and strafing attacks on a Viet Cong force which had ambushed a friendly forces convoy. The close air support he provided disrupted the hostile offensive and denied the opportunity for pressing effective attacks on friendly personnel and equipment. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Titus reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.