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{{Short description|American flying ace (1922–2008)}}
{{Short description|American flying ace (1922–2008)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name= Robert Marshall DeHaven
|name= Robert Marshall DeHaven
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|nickname= Bob
|nickname= Bob
|birth_date= {{birth date|mf=yes|1922|01|13}}
|birth_date= {{birth date|mf=yes|1922|01|13}}
|birth_place= [[San Diego]], [[California]], U.S.
|birth_place= San Diego, California, U.S.
|death_date= {{death date and age|mf=yes|2008|07|10|1922|01|13}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|mf=yes|2008|07|10|1922|01|13}}
|death_place= [[Encino, Los Angeles|Encino]], [[California]], U.S.
|death_place= [[Encino, Los Angeles|Encino]], California, U.S.
|placeofburial=
|placeofburial=
|allegiance= [[United States of America]]
|allegiance= United States of America
|branch= [[United States Army Air Forces]]<br>[[United States Air Force Reserve]]<br>[[California Air National Guard]]
|branch= [[United States Army Air Forces]]<br>[[United States Air Force Reserve]]<br>[[California Air National Guard]]
|serviceyears= 1942–1965
|serviceyears= 1942–1965
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|laterwork=
|laterwork=
}}
}}
'''Robert Marshall DeHaven''' (January 13, 1922 – July 10, 2008) was an American [[flying ace]] in the [[49th Fighter Group]] during [[World War II]], who was credited with 14 aerial victories. After the war, he briefly worked as an actor before becoming a personal pilot for billionaire [[Howard Hughes]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://pacificwrecks.com/people/veterans/dehaven/index.html|title=Robert M. DeHaven|newspaper=Pacific Wrecks |access-date= November 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/items/show/33153|title=Robert M. DeHaven Oral History Interview (Part 1 Of 5)|date=1960s|page=|publisher=The Museum of Flight Digital Commons|access-date=2022-11-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/items/show/33154|title=Robert M. DeHaven Oral History Interview (Part 2 Of 5)|date=1960s|page=|publisher=The Museum of Flight Digital Commons|access-date=2022-11-03}}</ref><ref name=":LA">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-19-me-dehaven19-story.html|title=WWII ace became test pilot|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=2008-07-12|access-date= November 3, 2022}}</ref>
'''Robert Marshall DeHaven''' (January 13, 1922 – July 10, 2008) was an American [[flying ace]] in the [[49th Fighter Group]] during [[World War II]], who was credited with 14 aerial victories. After the war, he briefly worked as an actor before becoming a personal pilot for billionaire [[Howard Hughes]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://pacificwrecks.com/people/veterans/dehaven/index.html|title=Robert M. DeHaven|newspaper=Pacific Wrecks |access-date= November 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/items/show/33153|title=Robert M. DeHaven Oral History Interview (Part 1 Of 5)|date=1960s|page=|publisher=The Museum of Flight Digital Commons|access-date=2022-11-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/items/show/33154|title=Robert M. DeHaven Oral History Interview (Part 2 Of 5)|date=1960s|page=|publisher=The Museum of Flight Digital Commons|access-date=2022-11-03}}</ref><ref name=":LA">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-19-me-dehaven19-story.html|title=WWII ace became test pilot|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 12, 2008|access-date= November 3, 2022}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
DeHaven was born on 1922 in [[San Diego]]. He graduated from [[North Hollywood High School]] in [[Los Angeles]], before attending [[Washington and Lee University]] in [[Virginia]].<ref name=":1"/>
DeHaven was born on 1922 in [[San Diego]]. He graduated from [[North Hollywood High School]] in Los Angeles, before attending [[Washington and Lee University]] in [[Virginia]].<ref name=":1"/>


==Military career==
==Military career==
Line 34: Line 35:
===World War II===
===World War II===
[[File:P-40e-7fs-March1942.jpg|thumb|left|P-40E of the 7th Fighter Squadron]]
[[File:P-40e-7fs-March1942.jpg|thumb|left|P-40E of the 7th Fighter Squadron]]
After the completion of his training in the P-40 Warhawk training in [[Florida]], he was assigned to the [[73d Fighter Squadron]] of the [[318th Fighter Group]] in [[Hawaii]]. During this time, American fighter units in the [[South West Pacific Area (command)|
After the completion of his training in the P-40 Warhawk training in Florida, he was assigned to the [[73d Fighter Squadron]] of the [[318th Fighter Group]] in Hawaii. During this time, American fighter units in the [[South West Pacific Area (command)|
South West Pacific Area]] were desperately short of qualified pilots and as a result, DeHaven was assigned to the [[7th Fighter Squadron]] of the [[49th Fighter Group]] in May 1943. Arriving to [[New Guinea]] via [[Australia]], he was stationed at the 49th FG's base at [[Girua Airport|Dobodura Airfield]] in New Guinea, where he flew P-40s in combat.<ref name="TO">{{cite book|url=https://3svi9g735j.pdcdn1.top/dl2.php?id=158724693&h=39238b5f76758c1715a2429c1dc0b455&u=cache&ext=pdf&n=Twelve%20to%20one%20v%20fighter%20command%20aces%20of%20the%20pacific|title='Twelve to One' V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific |author1=Tony Holmes |page=56-57|date= 27 Apr 2004|isbn=9781841767840|access-date=2022-11-03}}</ref>
South West Pacific Area]] were desperately short of qualified pilots and as a result, DeHaven was assigned to the [[7th Fighter Squadron]] of the [[49th Fighter Group]] in May 1943. Arriving to [[New Guinea]] via Australia, he was stationed at the 49th FG's base at [[Girua Airport|Dobodura Airfield]] in New Guinea, where he flew P-40s in combat.<ref name="TO">{{cite book|url=https://3svi9g735j.pdcdn1.top/dl2.php?id=158724693&h=39238b5f76758c1715a2429c1dc0b455&u=cache&ext=pdf&n=Twelve%20to%20one%20v%20fighter%20command%20aces%20of%20the%20pacific|title='Twelve to One' V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific|author1=Tony Holmes|pages=56–57|date=April 27, 2004|publisher=Bloomsbury USA|isbn=9781841767840|access-date=2022-11-03|archive-date=September 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923111712/https://3svi9g735j.pdcdn1.top/dl2.php?id=158724693&h=39238b5f76758c1715a2429c1dc0b455&u=cache&ext=pdf&n=Twelve%20to%20one%20v%20fighter%20command%20aces%20of%20the%20pacific|url-status=dead}}</ref>


On July 14, 1943, DeHaven scored his first aerial victory when he shot down an [[Aichi D3A]] "Val" dive bomber over [[Salamaua]] and on October 17, 1943, he shot down a [[Nakajima Ki-43]] "Oscar". DeHaven shot down a [[Mitsubishi A6M]] "Zero" and a [[Kawasaki Ki-61]] "Tony" on October 27.<ref name="TO"/>
On July 14, 1943, DeHaven scored his first aerial victory when he shot down an [[Aichi D3A]] "Val" dive bomber over [[Salamaua]] and on October 17, 1943, he shot down a [[Nakajima Ki-43]] "Oscar". DeHaven shot down a [[Mitsubishi A6M]] "Zero" and a [[Kawasaki Ki-61]] "Tony" on October 27.<ref name="TO"/>


[[File:DeHaven P-38.png|thumb|DeHaven with his P-38 Lightning]]
[[File:DeHaven P-38.png|thumb|DeHaven with his P-38 Lightning]]
He became a [[flying ace]] on December 10, after he shot down an Oscar near [[Alexishafen]], his fifth aerial victory. Two days later, he shot down another Oscar over Alexishafen. On January 1944, he claimed his seventh and eighth aerial victories, after shooting down a Tony and Oscar. The Oscar shot down by DeHaven on January 1944, was flown by Captain Shigeo Nongo, the executive officer of 59th ''Sentai'', who was killed in action. On March 15, he downed another Oscar and he scored his tenth and last aerial victory in the P-40 on May 7, making him and another flying ace of 49th FG Ernest A. Harris, the top aerial victory scorers in the P-40 Warhawk within the [[V Fighter Command]].<ref name="TO"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/ki-43/nongo.html|title=
He became a [[flying ace]] on December 10, after he shot down an Oscar near [[Alexishafen]], his fifth aerial victory. Two days later, he shot down another Oscar over Alexishafen. In January 1944, he claimed his seventh and eighth aerial victories, after shooting down a Tony and Oscar. The Oscar shot down by DeHaven in January 1944, was flown by Captain Shigeo Nongo, the executive officer of 59th ''Sentai'', who was killed in action. On March 15, he downed another Oscar and he scored his tenth and last aerial victory in the P-40 on May 7, making him and another flying ace of 49th FG Ernest A. Harris, the top aerial victory scorers in the P-40 Warhawk within the [[V Fighter Command]].<ref name="TO"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/ki-43/nongo.html|title=Ki-43 Oscar piloted by Captain Shigeo Nongo|newspaper=Pacific Wrecks |access-date= November 3, 2022}}</ref>
Ki-43 Oscar piloted by Captain Shigeo Nongo|newspaper=Pacific Wrecks |access-date= November 3, 2022}}</ref>


In the summer of 1944, the 49th FG converted to [[Lockheed P-38 Lightning]]s and took part in the [[Philippines campaign (1944–1945)|Philippines campaign]]. On October 29, 1944, DeHaven shot down an Oscar over [[Biliran Island]], his first aerial victory in the P-38 and eleventh overall. He scored his final victories on November 1944, when he shot down two Zeros and one [[Mitsubishi J2M]] "Jack" during aerial patrols over [[Leyte]]. At the end of November, he was sent back to the [[United States]] for [[shore leave]]. In 1945, he returned to the 49th FG as group operations officer, serving this position till [[V-J Day]].<ref name="TO"/>
In the summer of 1944, the 49th FG converted to [[Lockheed P-38 Lightning]]s and took part in the [[Philippines campaign (1944–1945)|Philippines campaign]]. On October 29, 1944, DeHaven shot down an Oscar over [[Biliran Island]], his first aerial victory in the P-38 and eleventh overall. He scored his final victories in November 1944, when he shot down two Zeros and one [[Mitsubishi J2M]] "Jack" during aerial patrols over [[Leyte]]. At the end of November, he was sent back to the United States for [[shore leave]]. In 1945, he returned to the 49th FG as group operations officer, serving this position till [[V-J Day]].<ref name="TO"/>


During World War II, DeHaven was credited with the destruction of 14 enemy aircraft (10 in P-40 and 4 in P-38) in aerial combat, while flying 272 combat missions. He left active duty on December 1945.<ref name="TO"/><ref name=":1"/>
During World War II, DeHaven was credited with the destruction of 14 enemy aircraft (10 in P-40 and 4 in P-38) in aerial combat, while flying 272 combat missions. He left active duty in December 1945.<ref name="TO"/><ref name=":1"/>


==Later life==
==Later life==
On 1946, he joined the [[United States Air Force Reserves]] and [[California Air National Guard]], where he worked as an acceptance test pilot for the [[Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star]]. After being spotted by a [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] talent agent, he signed a contract with [[Columbia Pictures]] and starred in minor roles in three films from 1946 to 1947. While in Hollywood, DeHaven met billionaire and founder of [[Hughes Aircraft Company]] [[Howard Hughes]], who offered DeHaven a job as his personal pilot and test pilot for Hughes Aircraft Company. He served as an executive and later became director of the flight test division of Hughes Aircraft Company. He retired from the Air Force Reserves on October 1, 1965. He was elected a Fellow in the [[Society of Experimental Test Pilots]] and also served as president of the [[American Fighter Aces Association]]. He completely retired in the 1980s.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":LA"/>
On 1946, he joined the [[United States Air Force Reserves]] and [[California Air National Guard]], where he worked as an acceptance test pilot for the [[Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star]]. After being spotted by a [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] talent agent, he signed a contract with [[Columbia Pictures]] and starred in minor roles in three films from 1946 to 1947. While in Hollywood, DeHaven met billionaire and founder of [[Hughes Aircraft Company]] [[Howard Hughes]], who offered DeHaven a job as his personal pilot and test pilot for Hughes Aircraft Company. He served as an executive and later became director of the flight test division of Hughes Aircraft Company. He retired from the Air Force Reserves on October 1, 1965. He was elected a Fellow in the [[Society of Experimental Test Pilots]] and also served as president of the [[American Fighter Aces Association]]. He completely retired in the 1980s.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":LA"/>


On September 7, 1951, DeHaven married singer and actress [[Connie Haines]], with whom he had a son and a daughter. Haines and DeHaven divorced on February 19, 1962.<ref>{{cite news|title=Connie Haines Weds|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3096695/herald_and_news/|work=Herald and News|date=September 8, 1951|page=9|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 2022-11-03}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Connie Haines Has New Baby Boy|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3090401/wilmington_newsjournal/|work=Wilmington News-Journal|date=August 20, 1956|page=11|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 2022-11-03}}{{Open access}}</ref> He later remarried to Diane Kwasniewicz and had another son.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":LA"/>
On September 7, 1951, DeHaven married singer and actress [[Connie Haines]], with whom he had a son and a daughter. Haines and DeHaven divorced on February 19, 1962.<ref>{{cite news|title=Connie Haines Weds|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3096695/herald_and_news/|work=Herald and News|date=September 8, 1951|page=9|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = November 3, 2022}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Connie Haines Has New Baby Boy|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3090401/wilmington_newsjournal/|work=Wilmington News-Journal|date=August 20, 1956|page=11|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = November 3, 2022}}{{Open access}}</ref> He later remarried to Diane Kwasniewicz and had another son.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":LA"/>


He passed away on July 10, 2008, at a hospital in [[Encino, Los Angeles|Encino]], after a long illness.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":LA"/>
DeHaven died on July 10, 2008, at a hospital in [[Encino, Los Angeles|Encino]] after a long illness.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":LA"/>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:Aviators from California]]
[[Category:Aviators from California]]
[[Category:Military personnel from California]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:People from San Diego]]
[[Category:Military personnel from San Diego]]
[[Category:American test pilots]]
[[Category:American test pilots]]
[[Category:United States Air Force colonels]]
[[Category:United States Air Force colonels]]

Latest revision as of 06:21, 8 September 2023

Robert Marshall DeHaven
Nickname(s)Bob
Born(1922-01-13)January 13, 1922
San Diego, California, U.S.
DiedJuly 10, 2008(2008-07-10) (aged 86)
Encino, California, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Army Air Forces
United States Air Force Reserve
California Air National Guard
Years of service1942–1965
Rank Colonel
Unit7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsSilver Star (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
Air Medal (14)

Robert Marshall DeHaven (January 13, 1922 – July 10, 2008) was an American flying ace in the 49th Fighter Group during World War II, who was credited with 14 aerial victories. After the war, he briefly worked as an actor before becoming a personal pilot for billionaire Howard Hughes.[1][2][3][4]

Early life

[edit]

DeHaven was born on 1922 in San Diego. He graduated from North Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, before attending Washington and Lee University in Virginia.[1]

Military career

[edit]

On April 14, 1942, he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces, and was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings at Luke Field in Arizona, on January 4, 1943.[5]

World War II

[edit]
P-40E of the 7th Fighter Squadron

After the completion of his training in the P-40 Warhawk training in Florida, he was assigned to the 73d Fighter Squadron of the 318th Fighter Group in Hawaii. During this time, American fighter units in the South West Pacific Area were desperately short of qualified pilots and as a result, DeHaven was assigned to the 7th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group in May 1943. Arriving to New Guinea via Australia, he was stationed at the 49th FG's base at Dobodura Airfield in New Guinea, where he flew P-40s in combat.[6]

On July 14, 1943, DeHaven scored his first aerial victory when he shot down an Aichi D3A "Val" dive bomber over Salamaua and on October 17, 1943, he shot down a Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar". DeHaven shot down a Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" and a Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony" on October 27.[6]

DeHaven with his P-38 Lightning

He became a flying ace on December 10, after he shot down an Oscar near Alexishafen, his fifth aerial victory. Two days later, he shot down another Oscar over Alexishafen. In January 1944, he claimed his seventh and eighth aerial victories, after shooting down a Tony and Oscar. The Oscar shot down by DeHaven in January 1944, was flown by Captain Shigeo Nongo, the executive officer of 59th Sentai, who was killed in action. On March 15, he downed another Oscar and he scored his tenth and last aerial victory in the P-40 on May 7, making him and another flying ace of 49th FG Ernest A. Harris, the top aerial victory scorers in the P-40 Warhawk within the V Fighter Command.[6][7]

In the summer of 1944, the 49th FG converted to Lockheed P-38 Lightnings and took part in the Philippines campaign. On October 29, 1944, DeHaven shot down an Oscar over Biliran Island, his first aerial victory in the P-38 and eleventh overall. He scored his final victories in November 1944, when he shot down two Zeros and one Mitsubishi J2M "Jack" during aerial patrols over Leyte. At the end of November, he was sent back to the United States for shore leave. In 1945, he returned to the 49th FG as group operations officer, serving this position till V-J Day.[6]

During World War II, DeHaven was credited with the destruction of 14 enemy aircraft (10 in P-40 and 4 in P-38) in aerial combat, while flying 272 combat missions. He left active duty in December 1945.[6][1]

Later life

[edit]

On 1946, he joined the United States Air Force Reserves and California Air National Guard, where he worked as an acceptance test pilot for the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. After being spotted by a Hollywood talent agent, he signed a contract with Columbia Pictures and starred in minor roles in three films from 1946 to 1947. While in Hollywood, DeHaven met billionaire and founder of Hughes Aircraft Company Howard Hughes, who offered DeHaven a job as his personal pilot and test pilot for Hughes Aircraft Company. He served as an executive and later became director of the flight test division of Hughes Aircraft Company. He retired from the Air Force Reserves on October 1, 1965. He was elected a Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and also served as president of the American Fighter Aces Association. He completely retired in the 1980s.[1][4]

On September 7, 1951, DeHaven married singer and actress Connie Haines, with whom he had a son and a daughter. Haines and DeHaven divorced on February 19, 1962.[8][9] He later remarried to Diane Kwasniewicz and had another son.[1][4]

DeHaven died on July 10, 2008, at a hospital in Encino after a long illness.[1][4]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1946 Crime Doctor's Man Hunt Sailor Uncredited
1946 Gallant Journey Jim Logan (as a boy)
1947 Blondie's Big Moment Pete Uncredited

Awards and decorations

[edit]
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
U.S. Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Silver Star
with bronze oak leaf cluster[10] 		Distinguished Flying Cross
with two bronze oak leaf clusters[10] 		Air Medal
with two silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
(second ribbon required for accoutrement spacing) 		Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
with bronze oak leaf cluster 		American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
with four bronze campaign stars 		World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award Armed Forces Reserve Medal
with bronze hourglass device 		Philippine Liberation Medal
with service star

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Robert M. DeHaven". Pacific Wrecks. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  2. ^ "Robert M. DeHaven Oral History Interview (Part 1 Of 5)". The Museum of Flight Digital Commons. 1960s. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  3. ^ "Robert M. DeHaven Oral History Interview (Part 2 Of 5)". The Museum of Flight Digital Commons. 1960s. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "WWII ace became test pilot". Los Angeles Times. July 12, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "Robert M. DeHaven". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e Tony Holmes (April 27, 2004). 'Twelve to One' V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific. Bloomsbury USA. pp. 56–57. ISBN 9781841767840. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  7. ^ "Ki-43 Oscar piloted by Captain Shigeo Nongo". Pacific Wrecks. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  8. ^ "Connie Haines Weds". Herald and News. September 8, 1951. p. 9. Retrieved November 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  9. ^ "Connie Haines Has New Baby Boy". Wilmington News-Journal. August 20, 1956. p. 11. Retrieved November 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  10. ^ a b "Valor awards for Robert DeHaven". Military Times. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
[edit]

Robert M. DeHaven at IMDb

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