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Eugene
Paul
Roberts
September 12, 1917

–

May 16, 2008

Born:

Wallace

, 

Idaho

Home:

Spokane

, 

Washington

Buried: 

Spokane

, 

Washington

Cemetery:

Holy Cross Cemetery

During World War II, Eugene Roberts became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1963 as a U.S. Air Force Reserves Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    84th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    78th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Eugene Paul Roberts (ASN: 0-403830), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    84th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    78th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Eugene Paul Roberts (ASN: 0-403830), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    84th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    78th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Eugene Paul Roberts (ASN: 0-403830), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    84th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    78th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 30, 1943
    Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 73 (October 15, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) Eugene Paul Roberts (ASN: 0-403830), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 30 July 1943, in the European Theater of Operations. Major Roberts, while acting as Group Leader on a bomber withdrawal mission, effected rendezvous in an area in which 80 to 100 enemy aircraft were maneuvering for attacks. Observing a straggling crippled bomber in distress below the main formation being attacked by fire enemy fighters, Major Roberts, with complete disregard for his own safety, struck the enemy unaided, dispersing them and effecting the escape of the bomber and its crew. Detaching himself from the main body of friendly planes, which he had rejoined, he dove upon a formation of six enemy planes, shooting one down in flames. Again endangering his life, he singled out for attack two enemy aircraft among the hordes attacking, one of which he drove away and the other he destroyed. Again on this mission regardless of hazard, Major Roberts closed with a third enemy aircraft among those attacking which he shot to the earth in flames. The aggressiveness, courage and effectiveness of Major Roberts’ actions were largely responsible for the success of the mission with a minimum of loss. His unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    84th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    78th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 174 (October 1, 1943)

    (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 Major (Air Corps) Eugene Paul Roberts (ASN: 0-403830), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Airplane of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Roberts, 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    84th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    78th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Eugene Paul Roberts (ASN: 0-403830), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH 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.