Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
Winston
Stephens
DNB (1960)
September 16, 1921

–

April 6, 1960

Born:

St. Louis

, 

Missouri

Home:

St. Louis

, 

Missouri

Buried: 

St. Louis

, 

Missouri

Cemetery:

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

Robert Stephens plays one year of Minor League Baseball as a pitcher with the Bowling Green Barons in 1941 before entering military service. During World War II, he became a U.S. Army Air Forces DOUBLE ACE, credited with shooting down 13 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force. As a Colonel serving with 474th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico, he was killed in an air accident in 1960.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    355th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Robert Winston Stephens (ASN: 0-730650), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    355th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 267 (November 13, 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 Captain (Air Corps) Robert Winston Stephens (ASN: 0-730650), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Stephens, 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.