Robert F. Travis
Encyclopedia
Brigadier General Robert F. Travis (December 26, 1904, in Savannah, Georgia
– August 5, 1950, near Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base, California
) was an U.S. Air Force
officer who served during World War II.
Travis saw action in World War II as commander of the Eighth Air Force
41st Bombardment Wing
, based at RAF Molesworth
, England. He personally led his men in 35 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. The decorations that he received included the Distinguished Flying Cross
with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal
with three clusters, the French Croix de guerre with palm, the Légion d'honneur
, and the Purple Heart
.
Travis was killed in the crash of a B-29 Superfortress
, 15 minutes after takeoff on August 5, 1950, near Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base, California
.
in 1924, but received an appointment to the United States Military Academy
at West Point, New York
. He graduated and was commissioned a second lieutenant
, field infantry, in June 1928.
In September 1928, Travis entered the United States Army Air Corps Primary Flying School at Brooks Field
, Texas
, and, upon completion of the course, enrolled in the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field. He graduated in September 1929, and was sent to the 1st Observation Squadron at Mitchel Field, New York
, as an engineering officer. In July 1932 he entered the Air Corps Engineering School at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio
, and completed the course in July 1933. In August 1933, he was ordered to the 59th Service Squadron at Langley Field, Virginia
, to serve as supply engineering and operations officer.
From February to May 1934, during the Air Mail scandal
, Travis served as the engineering inspector for the Eastern Zone of the Army Air Corps Mail Operation (AACMO) based at Floyd Bennett Field
, Brooklyn
, and Mitchel Field, Long Island
, in New York
. Upon completion of this assignment, he returned to Langley Field, where he became the engineering and armament officer of the 49th Bombardment Squadron
, 2nd Bombardment Group, in December 1934. In March 1935, he was made a flight commander in the 49th Bombardment Squadron. By October 1937, he transferred to the headquarters staff of the 2nd BG as the group intelligence and armament officer.
In March 1939, Travis went to the 72d Bombardment Squadron at Hickam Field, Hawaii
, to serve as operations officer and a flight commander. In July 1939, he became the Commanding Officer of the 72nd Bombardment Squadron. He was named materiel officer of the 5th Bombardment Group in September 1940.
Travis returned to the United States in May 1941, when he was assigned to the 29th Bombardment Group
, MacDill Field, Florida
, to serve as the Commanding Officer of the 43d Bombardment Squadron. He was subsequently elevated to Group Executive Officer and later to the position of Group Commander of the 29th Bombardment Group. He moved with the 29th BG in June 1942, when the unit was relocated to Gowen Field, Idaho
. In September 1942, he became the Commanding Officer of the 15th Bombardment Training Wing, Gowen Field. The general moved with the 15th Bombardment Wing, when the unit was transferred to Sioux City AAB, Iowa
, in February 1943. In July 1943, he became the Commanding General of the I Bomber Command, El Paso AAF, Texas
.
Travis was next assigned to the European Theater of Operations
in August 1943, and assumed command of the 41st Combat Bombardment Wing
of the Eighth Air Force
in September 1943. During this time, he flew 35 missions over enemy-occupied territory, including a mission to destroy the Foch-Wolfe fighter plant in Oeschersleben, Germany. He returned to the United States in September 1944 and was named Commanding General of the 17th Bombardment Training Wing, Grand Island AAF
, Nebraska
, which later moved to Sioux City AAB, Iowa
. In August 1945, Travis was assigned to command the Sioux Falls Army Air Field in South Dakota
.
Approximately one year later, Travis entered National War College
. He graduated in June 1947, and in August he became the Chief of Staff of the Seventh Air Force
at Hickam Air Force Base
, Hawaii
. He later assumed command of the 7th Air Division (formally the Seventh Air Force) at Hickam AFB. In September 1948, he was appointed Commanding General of the Pacific Air Command at Hickam. He would hold that position until June 1949.
On June 17, 1949, Travis became the Commanding General of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Fairfield-Suisun AFB, California
. He assumed command of the 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing on November 8, 1949, commanding both wings at the base.
Travis was killed on August 5, 1950, while acting as command pilot on a B-29 Superfortress (44-87651) bound for Guam
at the request of Gen. Douglas MacArthur
, carrying one MK-4 atomic bomb
but with the uranium core carried on another plane. The aircraft suffered two runaway propellers and landing gear problems 15 minutes after takeoff at Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base. The crew attempted an emergency landing but the aircraft crashed, and the high explosives in the bomb detonated during the fire. Of the 20 persons on board, 8 survived, but 7 on the ground also died.
Fairfield-Suisun AFB was officially renamed Travis Air Force Base
on April 20, 1951, in his honor. Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport's former name was Travis Field, named in the native son's honor.
Aircraft flown: B-17, B-29
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
– August 5, 1950, near Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base, 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...
) was an U.S. Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
officer who served during World War II.
Travis saw action in World War II as commander of the Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
41st Bombardment Wing
41st Bombardment Wing (World War II)
The 41st Bombardment Wingis an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Eighth Air Force, based at RAF Molesworth, England. It was inactivated on 18 June 1945.-History:...
, based at RAF Molesworth
RAF Molesworth
RAF Molesworth is a Royal Air Force station located near Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom with a history dating back to 1917.Its runway and flight line facilities were closed in 1973 and demolished to support ground-launched cruise missile operations in the early 1980s...
, England. He personally led his men in 35 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. The decorations that he received included the 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...
with three oak leaf clusters, the 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:...
with three clusters, the French Croix de guerre with palm, the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
, and the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
.
Travis was killed in the crash of a B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
, 15 minutes after takeoff on August 5, 1950, near Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base, 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...
.
Military career
Travis entered University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
in 1924, but received an appointment to the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He graduated and was commissioned a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
, field infantry, in June 1928.
In September 1928, Travis entered the United States Army Air Corps Primary Flying School at Brooks Field
Brooks City-Base
Brooks City-Base was a United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas, southeast of Downtown San Antonio.In 2002 Brooks Air Force Base was renamed Brooks City-Base when the property was conveyed to the Brooks Development Authority as part of a unique project between local, state,...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and, upon completion of the course, enrolled in the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field. He graduated in September 1929, and was sent to the 1st Observation Squadron at Mitchel Field, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, as an engineering officer. In July 1932 he entered the Air Corps Engineering School at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
, and completed the course in July 1933. In August 1933, he was ordered to the 59th Service Squadron at Langley Field, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, to serve as supply engineering and operations officer.
From February to May 1934, during the Air Mail scandal
Air Mail Scandal
The Air Mail scandal, also known as the Air Mail fiasco, is the name that the American press gave to the political scandal resulting from a congressional investigation of a 1930 meeting , between Postmaster General Walter Folger Brown and the executives of the top airlines, and to the disastrous...
, Travis served as the engineering inspector for the Eastern Zone of the Army Air Corps Mail Operation (AACMO) based at Floyd Bennett Field
Floyd Bennett Field
Floyd Bennett Field is New York City's first municipal airport. While no longer used as an operational commercial, military or general aviation airfield, the New York Police Department still flies its helicopters from its heliport base there...
, Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, and Mitchel Field, Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Upon completion of this assignment, he returned to Langley Field, where he became the engineering and armament officer of the 49th Bombardment Squadron
49th Test and Evaluation Squadron
The 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. Its current assignment is with the 53d Wing, based at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.-Mission:...
, 2nd Bombardment Group, in December 1934. In March 1935, he was made a flight commander in the 49th Bombardment Squadron. By October 1937, he transferred to the headquarters staff of the 2nd BG as the group intelligence and armament officer.
In March 1939, Travis went to the 72d Bombardment Squadron at Hickam Field, 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...
, to serve as operations officer and a flight commander. In July 1939, he became the Commanding Officer of the 72nd Bombardment Squadron. He was named materiel officer of the 5th Bombardment Group in September 1940.
Travis returned to the United States in May 1941, when he was assigned to the 29th Bombardment Group
29th Bombardment Group
The 29th Flying Training Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit last based at Craig AFB, Alabama. It was inactivated when Craig AFB was closed as a budget reduction action after the Vietnam War....
, MacDill Field, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, to serve as the Commanding Officer of the 43d Bombardment Squadron. He was subsequently elevated to Group Executive Officer and later to the position of Group Commander of the 29th Bombardment Group. He moved with the 29th BG in June 1942, when the unit was relocated to Gowen Field, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. In September 1942, he became the Commanding Officer of the 15th Bombardment Training Wing, Gowen Field. The general moved with the 15th Bombardment Wing, when the unit was transferred to Sioux City AAB, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, in February 1943. In July 1943, he became the Commanding General of the I Bomber Command, El Paso AAF, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Travis was next assigned to the European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
in August 1943, and assumed command of the 41st Combat Bombardment Wing
41st Bombardment Wing (World War II)
The 41st Bombardment Wingis an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Eighth Air Force, based at RAF Molesworth, England. It was inactivated on 18 June 1945.-History:...
of the Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
in September 1943. During this time, he flew 35 missions over enemy-occupied territory, including a mission to destroy the Foch-Wolfe fighter plant in Oeschersleben, Germany. He returned to the United States in September 1944 and was named Commanding General of the 17th Bombardment Training Wing, Grand Island AAF
Grand Island Army Airfield
Grand Island Army Airfield was a United States Army Air Forces airfield which operated from 1942 to 1946. After its closure, the base was reopened as Central Nebraska Regional Airport.-History:...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, which later moved to Sioux City AAB, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. In August 1945, Travis was assigned to command the Sioux Falls Army Air Field in South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
.
Approximately one year later, Travis entered National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
. He graduated in June 1947, and in August he became the Chief of Staff of the Seventh Air Force
Seventh Air Force
The Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
at Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Field, re-named Hickam Air Force Base in 1948, was a United States Air Force facility now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lt Col Horace Meek Hickam.- History :...
, 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 later assumed command of the 7th Air Division (formally the Seventh Air Force) at Hickam AFB. In September 1948, he was appointed Commanding General of the Pacific Air Command at Hickam. He would hold that position until June 1949.
On June 17, 1949, Travis became the Commanding General of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Fairfield-Suisun AFB, 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...
. He assumed command of the 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing on November 8, 1949, commanding both wings at the base.
Travis was killed on August 5, 1950, while acting as command pilot on a B-29 Superfortress (44-87651) bound for Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
at the request of Gen. Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
, carrying one MK-4 atomic bomb
Mark 4 nuclear bomb
The Mark 4 nuclear bomb was an American nuclear bomb design produced starting in 1949 and in use until 1953.The Mark 4 was based on the earlier Mark 3 Fat Man design, used in the Trinity test and the bombing of Nagasaki...
but with the uranium core carried on another plane. The aircraft suffered two runaway propellers and landing gear problems 15 minutes after takeoff at Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base. The crew attempted an emergency landing but the aircraft crashed, and the high explosives in the bomb detonated during the fire. Of the 20 persons on board, 8 survived, but 7 on the ground also died.
Fairfield-Suisun AFB was officially renamed Travis Air Force Base
Travis Air Force Base
Travis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force air base under the operational control of the Air Mobility Command , located three miles east of the central business district of Fairfield, in Solano County, California, United States. The base is named for Brigadier General Robert F...
on April 20, 1951, in his honor. Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport's former name was Travis Field, named in the native son's honor.
Education
- 1928 Bachelor of Engineering, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
- 1947 National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
Assignments
- 1928, student, Air Corps Primary Flying School, Brooks Field, Texas
- 1929, student, Air Corps Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas
- September - November 1929, field artillery officer, 1st Observation Squadron, Mitchel Field, N.Y.
- November 1929 - July 1932, Air Corps officer, 1st Observation Squadron, Mitchel Field, N. Y.
- July 1932 - July 1933, student, Air Corps Engineering School, Wright Field, Ohio.
- August 1933 - February 1934, engineering, and operations officer, 59th Services Squadron, Supply, Langley Field, Virginia
- February - May 1934, engineering Inspector, Army Eastern Zone of the Air Mail Service, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, and Mitchell Field, N. Y.
- March 1935 - October 1937, 49th Bombardment Squadron, Langley Field Virginia
- October 1937 - March 1939, armament and Intelligence Officer, Second Bombardment Group, Langley Field, Virginia
- March 1939 - July 1939, operations officer and flight commander, 72nd Bombardment Squadron, Hickam Field, Hawaii
- July 1939 - September 1940, Commander, 72nd Bombardment Squadron, Hickam Field, Hawaii
- September 1940 - May 1941, materiel officer, Fifth Bombardment Group, Hickam Field, Hawaii
- May 1941 - unknown, Commander, 43rd Bombardment Squadron, MacDill Field, Florida
- Unknown - March 1942, executive officer, 29th Bombardment Group, MacDill Field, Florida
- March 1942 - August 1942, Commander, 29th BG, MacDill Field, Florida and Gowen Field, Idaho
- September 1942 - July 1943, Commander, 15th Bombardment Training Wing, Gowen Field, Idaho; Sioux City Army Air Base, Iowa and then Gowen Field, Idaho.
- July 1943 - August 1943, Commander, 20th Bomber Command (formerly 1st Bomber Command), El Paso, Texas.
- September 1943 - October 1944, Commander, 41st Combat Bombardment Wing (H), Molesworth, England.
- November 1944 - August 1945, Commander, 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing, Grand Island Army Air Field, Neb.
- August 1945 - November 1945, Commander, Sioux Falls Army Air Field, S. D.
- November 1945 - August 1946, Commander, 17th Bombardment Training Wing, Sioux City Army Air Base, Iowa.
- August 1946 - June 1947, student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
- August 1947 - July 1949, Chief of Staff, Seventh Air Force, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
- May 1948 - September 1948, Commander, Seventh Division, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
- September 1948 - June 1949, Commanding General, Pacific Air Command, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
- June 1949 - August 1950, Commander, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing; then Commander, 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and 9th SRW, later designated 9th Bombardment Wing, Fairfield-Suisun AFB, California
Flight information
Rating: Command Pilot, Combat Observer, Expert Bombardier, Aerial Gunner and Celestial NavigatorAircraft flown: B-17, B-29
Major awards and decorations
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters
- Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters
- Purple Heart
- Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Army Commendation Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation
- American Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
- American Campaign Medal with bronze service star
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- French Legion of Honor
- French Croix de guerre with Palm
- Distinguished Flying Cross - Great Britain
- Croix de guerre - Belgium
Effective dates of promotion
- Second Lieutenant: June 9, 1928
- First Lieutenant (permanent): June 1, 1934
- Captain (temporary): April 20, 1935; permanent: June 9, 1938
- Major (temporary): January 31, 1941; permanent: June 9, 1945
- Lieutenant Colonel (temporary): January 5, 1942
- Colonel (temporary): March 1, 1942; permanent: April 2, 1948
- Brigadier General (temporary): May 4, 1943