Louis Robertshaw
Encyclopedia
Louis Bentham Robertshaw (August 1, 1912 - July 14, 2003) was an American football
player and lieutenant general
in the United States Marine Corps
. He flew combat missions in World War II
and the Korean War
and flew an F-4D Phantom fighter in the Vietnam War
as commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
. He received three Distinguished Flying Cross
es, 11 Air Medal
s, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
, and the Legion of Merit
with Combat "V."
in 1930. He entered the United States Naval Academy
at Annapolis, Maryland
in 1932, played center
for Navy Midshipmen football
team and was selected as a third-team All-American in 1935
.
, Robertshaw was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps
in June 1936. He was assigned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard where he completed The Basic School for Marine Corps officers in June 1937. He served with the 6th Marine Regiment in Shanghai
, China
, and participated in the defense of the International Settlement
in Shanghai
from October 1937 to February 1938. In July 1939, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant while serving in China with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines
.
In August 1940, Robertshaw was assigned to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he served as the Executive Officer of the Marine Detachment and as a coach for the Navy Midshipmen
in football and basketball.
In October 1941, while serving as an instructor at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Robertshaw was promoted to the rank of captain.
. He completed the course in August 1942 and became a naval aviator
with the rank of major.
In October 1942, Robertshaw was assigned to serve at Noumea
in New Caledonia
. He assumed command of Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 132 (VMSB-132), an SBD Dauntless
dive bomber
squadron, in December 1942, after the prior commanding officer became a casualty. At the end of October 1942, VMSB-132 landed at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal
. Upon arrival, they became part of the Cactus Air Force
and fought during the Battle of Guadalcanal until December 1942 when they were relieved by VMSB-233. Robertshaw's unit moved to Espiritu Santo
where they became part of the Strike Command of the 13th Air Force, responsible for attacking nearby enemy bases and shipping and giving what was then considered close support to front-line units. The squadron returned to Guadalcanal in June 1943. Robertshaw was awarded two Distinguished Flying Cross
es and six Air Medals for his service in World War II, including an air attack on a group of Japanese transports in which Robertshaw scored a direct hit on one transport and severely damaged land installations in the area of the Solomon Islands
in November and December 1942. Robertshaw was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1943.
In January 1944, Robertshaw returned to the United States where he became the commanding officer of Marine Base Defense Group 41
at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
, California
.
In June 1945, he was assigned to serve as Assistant G-3, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force Pacific at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa
, Hawaii
. He was later assigned to serve as Marine Aviation Officer on the staff of the Commander of Naval Activities in Japan.
. He later served in the Division of Aviation at Marine Corps Headquarters
. He was promoted to the rank of colonel in February 1951.
jet while stationed at Pusan Air Base. For his service in the Korean War
, Robertshaw was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V," a third Distinguished Flying Cross, and five Air Medals.
From July 1954 to August 1956, Robertshaw served on the staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific
(CINCPAC) at Pearl Harbor.
From 1956 to 1957, Robertshaw was a member of the Advanced Research Group, Marine Corps Educational Center, in Quantico. Beginning in 1957, he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, and later Chief of Staff of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
(2nd MAW), at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
, North Carolina
. During 1957, Robertshaw also served as the Marine Corps Liaison Officer during Operation Deep Water in Turkey
.
In November 1959, Robertshaw became the Assistant Wing Commander, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
, Japan
. Upon his return from Japan he became the Commander of Marine Air Reserve Training at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois
.
, he flew an F-4D Phantom
fighter and served as commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
in Da Nang
, then as the Marine liaison for the Chief of Naval Operations
. He rose to the rank of lieutenant general
and was the Inspector General of the Marine Corps from July 1967 to March 1969. He was the deputy chief of staff for manpower at Headquarters Marine Corps
when he retired in 1971.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and lieutenant general
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. He flew combat missions in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and flew an F-4D Phantom fighter in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
as commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
. He received three Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
es, 11 Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
, and the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with Combat "V."
Early years and collegiate football
Robertshaw graduated from Haverford Township High School in Havertown, PennsylvaniaHavertown, Pennsylvania
Havertown is a residential suburban unincorporated community in Haverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, approximately 9 miles west of the center of Philadelphia. Havertown's ZIP Code is 19083. Havertown is notable for being the birthplace of Swell Bubble Gum, which closed...
in 1930. He entered the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
at Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
in 1932, played center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
for Navy Midshipmen football
Navy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
team and was selected as a third-team All-American in 1935
1935 College Football All-America Team
The 1935 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams for the 1935 college football season...
.
Early career
After graduating from the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, Robertshaw was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
in June 1936. He was assigned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard where he completed The Basic School for Marine Corps officers in June 1937. He served with the 6th Marine Regiment in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and participated in the defense of the International Settlement
International Settlement
International Settlement may refer to:* International Settlement , a red light district in San Francisco* Shanghai International Settlement, territory in Shanghai leased to Britain and the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries...
in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
from October 1937 to February 1938. In July 1939, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant while serving in China with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines
2nd Battalion 4th Marines
2nd Battalion, 4th Marines is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. The battalion, nicknamed the Magnificent Bastards, is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and are a part of the 5th Marine Regiment and 1st Marine Division.-Early years:2nd Battalion, 4th...
.
In August 1940, Robertshaw was assigned to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he served as the Executive Officer of the Marine Detachment and as a coach for the Navy Midshipmen
Navy Midshipmen
The United States Naval Academy sponsors 30 varsity-sports teams and 12 club-sports teams . Both men's and women's teams are called Navy Midshipmen or "Mids"...
in football and basketball.
In October 1941, while serving as an instructor at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Robertshaw was promoted to the rank of captain.
World War II
In February 1942, two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Robertshaw entered flight school at the Pensacola Naval Air StationNaval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
. He completed the course in August 1942 and became a naval aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
with the rank of major.
In October 1942, Robertshaw was assigned to serve at Noumea
Nouméa
Nouméa is the capital city of the French territory of New Caledonia. It is situated on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia's main island, Grande Terre, and is home to the majority of the island's European, Polynesian , Indonesian, and Vietnamese populations, as well as many Melanesians,...
in New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
. He assumed command of Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 132 (VMSB-132), an SBD Dauntless
SBD Dauntless
The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a naval dive bomber made by Douglas during World War II. The SBD was the United States Navy's main dive bomber from mid-1940 until late 1943, when it was largely replaced by the SB2C Helldiver...
dive bomber
Dive bomber
A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy for the bomb it drops. Diving towards the target reduces the distance the bomb has to fall, which is the primary factor in determining the accuracy of the drop...
squadron, in December 1942, after the prior commanding officer became a casualty. At the end of October 1942, VMSB-132 landed at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
. Upon arrival, they became part of the Cactus Air Force
Cactus Air Force
Cactus Air Force refers to the ensemble of Allied air power assigned to the island of Guadalcanal from August 1942 until December 1942 during the early stages of the Guadalcanal Campaign, particularly those operating from Henderson Field...
and fought during the Battle of Guadalcanal until December 1942 when they were relieved by VMSB-233. Robertshaw's unit moved to Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu....
where they became part of the Strike Command of the 13th Air Force, responsible for attacking nearby enemy bases and shipping and giving what was then considered close support to front-line units. The squadron returned to Guadalcanal in June 1943. Robertshaw was awarded two Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
es and six Air Medals for his service in World War II, including an air attack on a group of Japanese transports in which Robertshaw scored a direct hit on one transport and severely damaged land installations in the area of the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
in November and December 1942. Robertshaw was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1943.
In January 1944, Robertshaw returned to the United States where he became the commanding officer of Marine Base Defense Group 41
Marine Aircraft Group 41
Marine Aircraft Group 41 is a United States Marine Corps reserve aviation unit based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas that is currently composed of one F/A-18A+ squadron, one KC-130T squadron, a Maintenance and Logistics squadron, as well as detachments from Engineer and...
at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine, California.Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the home of Marine Corps aviation on the West Coast. Designated as a Master Jet Station, its four runways could handle the largest aircraft...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
In June 1945, he was assigned to serve as Assistant G-3, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force Pacific at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa
Marine Corps Air Station Ewa
Marine Corps Air Station Ewa was a United States Marine Corps air station that was located west of Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The base was hit during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and later served as the hub for all Marine aviation units heading into combat in the Pacific Theater...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. He was later assigned to serve as Marine Aviation Officer on the staff of the Commander of Naval Activities in Japan.
Post-war assignments
Robertshaw returned to the United States in July 1946 and served at the Marine Corps Air Stations in Miramar, California, El Toro, and Willow Grove, PennsylvaniaWillow Grove, Pennsylvania
Willow Grove is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A community in Philadelphia's northern suburbs, the population was 15,726 at the 2010 census. It is located in Abington Township and Upper Moreland Township...
. He later served in the Division of Aviation at Marine Corps Headquarters
Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions...
. He was promoted to the rank of colonel in February 1951.
Korean War through the early 1960s
In August 1952, Robertshaw was sent to Korea, where he became the commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 33 (MAG-33). He flew 77 missions in Korea from September 1952 to May 1953, flying an F9F PantherF9F Panther
|-Popular culture:The Panther played a prominent role in the 1954 movie Men of the Fighting Lady . The F9F was featured in the flying sequences in the 1954 movie The Bridges at Toko-Ri, although in the 1953 James A...
jet while stationed at Pusan Air Base. For his service in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Robertshaw was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V," a third Distinguished Flying Cross, and five Air Medals.
From July 1954 to August 1956, Robertshaw served on the staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific
United States Pacific Command
The United States Pacific Command is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States armed forces responsible for the Pacific Ocean area. It is led by the Commander, Pacific Command , who is the supreme military authority for the various branches of the Armed Forces of the United States serving...
(CINCPAC) at Pearl Harbor.
From 1956 to 1957, Robertshaw was a member of the Advanced Research Group, Marine Corps Educational Center, in Quantico. Beginning in 1957, he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, and later Chief of Staff of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is the major east coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina...
(2nd MAW), at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. During 1957, Robertshaw also served as the Marine Corps Liaison Officer during Operation Deep Water in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
In November 1959, Robertshaw became the Assistant Wing Commander, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni or MCAS Iwakuni is a United States Marine Corps air station located in the Nishiki river delta, southeast of the Iwakuni Station in the city of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi in Japan.-Tenant commands:...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Upon his return from Japan he became the Commander of Marine Air Reserve Training at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
Vietnam War
During the Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, he flew an F-4D Phantom
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
fighter and served as commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
in Da Nang
Da Nang
Đà Nẵng , occasionally Danang, is a major port city in the South Central Coast of Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea at the mouth of the Han River. It is the commercial and educational center of Central Vietnam; its well-sheltered, easily accessible port and its location on the path of...
, then as the Marine liaison for the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
. He rose to the rank of lieutenant general
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
and was the Inspector General of the Marine Corps from July 1967 to March 1969. He was the deputy chief of staff for manpower at Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions...
when he retired in 1971.
Personal life
Robertshaw died of cancer in 2003 at age 90. He was survived by his wife, Marjo Robertshaw and four sons, Larry, Chad, David and Dan.Awards
Robertshaw received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with combat "V" and the Distinguished Flying Cross with two gold stars.See also
- 1935 College Football All-America Team1935 College Football All-America TeamThe 1935 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams for the 1935 college football season...
- List of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Commanders