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 Robin Olds (AFSN: 0-26046), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane of the 434 Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action in the European Theater of Operations, on 25 August 1944. On that date, Captain Olds was leading a flight of P-38 fighters furnishing support for a formation of heavy bombers. Sighting two enemy aircraft crossing well out in front of the bombers, Captain Olds took his flight of four planes forward to investigate. Discovering a group of approximately forty ME-109’s, he unhesitatingly made a bold attack, completely ignoring the tremendous odds against him. Observing a fellow pilot being hard-pressed, he started to his assistance when he discovered an ME-109 was on his tail. Performing an exceptionally skillful maneuver, he reversed positions with the enemy and shot him down. Captain Olds’ devotion to duty and aggressive combat tactics on this occasion enabled him to destroy three enemy planes and contributed materially to the success of the bombing mission. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Olds, 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.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant and Captain] Robin Olds (AFSN: 0-26046), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving Pilot of both P-38 twin-engine and P-51 single-engine Fighter Airplanes of the 434 Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action in the European Theater of Operations from 26 May 1944 to 25 April 1945. During this period, Major Olds completed a large number of hazardous missions over continental Europe. Outstanding among these were three escort missions flown on 9 and 14 February and 19 March 1945. During each of these operations, he intercepted vastly superior forces of enemy planes, and with utter disregard for personal danger, thwarted the attacks before the enemy could reach the bomber formation. Six hostile fighters were destroyed by Major Olds while the units under his command shot down nine others. Throughout this entire period, Major Olds consistently displayed courage, tenacity of purpose, and resourcefulness to a degree that proved inspirational to all participating in aerial combat with him. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Olds, 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.