Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
Eadon
Welch
DNB (1951)
1923-08-04

–

1951-03-23

Born:

Brown City

, 

Michigan

Home:

Brown City

, 

Michigan

Buried: 

Burnside Township

, 

Michigan

Cemetery:

Evergreen Cemetery

During World War II, Robert Welch became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and died in a mid-air collision while leading a formation of four Thunderjets on March 23, 1951, near Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    343d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    55th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 105 (June 28, 1945)

    (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 Eadon Welch (ASN: 0-705651), 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 343d Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Welch, 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:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    343d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    55th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Robert Eadon Welch (ASN: 0-705651), 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 343d Fighter Squadron, 55th 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.