Navy Federal Credit Union

Robert Lodge graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1964. During his two tours in Southeast Asia, he flew 186 combat missions, and was credited with the destruction of 3 MiG-21 fighters in aerial combat. He was missing in action after a mission on May 10, 1972. His remains were recovered in 1977. His FIVE Silver Stars are a U.S. Air Force record, unmatched by any other member of the Air Force or Army Air Forces in history.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Regiment:

    432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    February 21, 1972

    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 pride in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4D Aircraft Commander, 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 21 February 1972. On that date, Major Lodge led a flight of two tactical fighters that provided cover from hostile aircraft for bombing operations in support of friendly forces. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Lodge aggressively engaged a superior number of hostile aircraft in aerial combat and successfully destroyed one. By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the dedication of service to his country, Major Lodge has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Regiment:

    432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    May 10, 1972

    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 pride in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4D Aircraft Commander, 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 10 May 1972. On that date, Major Lodge led a flight of four tactical fighters on a mission to provide other allied aircraft protection from enemy interceptors between the enemy’s two largest airfields. Disregarding his own personal safety, Major Lodge aggressively engaged an extremely large force of hostile aircraft and successfully destroyed on enemy fighter. The expert leadership and planning by Major Lodge resulted directly in the flight shooting down three enemy fighters. By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the dedication of his service to his country, Major Lodge has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Regiment:

    432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    April 3, 1972

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as as an F-4D Aircraft Commander of the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over hostile territory on 3 April 1972. On that date, Major Lodge was scrambled from air defense alert to intercept a hostile aircraft which was attempting to attack friendly aircraft. Despite the hazards of descending over unfamiliar mountainous terrain at night to pursue the hostile aircraft, Major Lodge’s outstanding leadership and airmanship resulted in the hostile aircraft breaking off its attack. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Lodge reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Regiment:

    432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    April 16, 1972

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as as an F-4D Aircraft Commander of the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over hostile territory on 16 April 1972. On that date, Major Lodge led a flight of tactical fighters on a MiG Cap for a large fighter-bomber strike force. Despite the hazards of low level engagements with attacking aircraft in mountainous terrain, marginal weather, and several surface-to-air missiles launched at the flight, Major Lodge was directly responsible for protecting the strike force and insuring mission success. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Lodge reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    March 26, 1967

    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 to First Lieutenant Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 26 March 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Lodge was part of a strike force on an important hostile Army depot. Disregarding his own safety, he pressed down through intense defensive fire to insure direct hits. He successfully destroyed a major portion of the depot. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Lodge reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Regiment:

    432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1972

    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 pride in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4D Aircraft Commander, 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over hostile territory on 8 May 1972. On that date, Major Lodge led a flight of four tactical fighters on a mission to protect allied aircraft that were striking targets deep in the heart of hostile territory. Disregarding his own personal safety, Major Lodge aggressively engaged a superior number of hostile aircraft and successfully destroyed one. The remaining hostile interceptors then broke off their attack, allowing the friendly aircraft to strike the targets without opposition. By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the dedication of his service to his country, Major Lodge has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    June 13, 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action at Thai Ngyen, North Vietnam on 13 June 1967. On that date, while on a strike against an important facility, Lieutenant Lodge’s aircraft was hit by flak before reaching the target. Disregarding his own safety, he courageously rolled in and continued through heavy fire, sustaining a second direct hit. Even though a fuel tank exploded and aircraft control was difficult, Lieutenant Lodge completed his delivery, destroyed the target, and successfully landed his damaged aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Lodge has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Regiment:

    432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander of the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia in 1972. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Lodge reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    March 11, 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 First Lieutenant Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Thai Ngyen, North Vietnam, on 11 March 1967. On that date Lieutenant Lodge successfully penetrated hostile defenses and visually located an active surface-to-air missile site. Disregarding his own safety, with a missile flying toward him, he flew through heavy flak and totally destroyed the site. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Lodge has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    January 17, 1967

    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 First Lieutenant Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam on 17 January 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Lodge was a member of a flight of four F-105 fighter-bombers assigned to attack a heavily defended railroad center of vital importance to the hostiles. Despite poor visibility in the target area and intense air defense efforts, the target was located and struck with pin-point accuracy. In pressing the attack on the target, despite strong hostile resistance and poor weather conditions, Lieutenant Lodge denied the hostiles the continued use of one of his vital resources. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Lodge reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.