482nd F.I.S.:


Lt. Colonel
John William
Robinson


Jan 30, 1918 - Mar 10, 2005


Florida National Cem., Bushnell, FL
Section 408, Grave 292


[ED. NOTE: Most of the data below was obtained from Lt. Col. Robinson's "Individual Flight Records"and Medal Awards by his son, John Robinson. The DD-214 also survives. An "Orders-set" has not been found as yet, making exact dates un-available. GCW]


Career Assignments


Texas National Guard, Troop "E", 112th Cavalry (last active horse cavalry); 1936 - July 1941. Pvt - Sergeant

Promoted to 2nd & 1st  Lt.

Army Air Corps, Aviation Cadet; July 1941 - Feb 1942, trained at Muskogee, OK, Randolph & Foster Fields, TX

97th Bombardment Group, 340th Bomb Squadron (B-17s); Feb - Mar 1942, MacDill Field, FL

58th Fighter Group, 311th & 312th Squadrons (P-47s); Mar 1942 - May 1943. Dale Mabry Field, FL

338th Fighter Group, 441st Squadron (P-47s); June 1943 - Jan 1944. Perry Field, FL

Promoted to Captain & flight leader.

9th Air Force, 404th Fighter Group, 508th Squadron (P-47s); Jan 1944 - Mar 1944. Myrtle Beach Field, SC

Above unit transferred to European Theater (England and France); Mar 1944 to Oct 1944

2nd Air Force, 72nd Fighter Group, 263rd Squadron (P-47s); Oct 1944 - Feb 1945

  • Stationed: Harding Field, LA; AAFRS#2, Miami Beach, FL; & AAF, Abilene, TX

    2nd Air Force, 249th AAF BU (P-47s); Feb 1945 - Mar 1945. LaJunta Field, CO

    1st Air Force, 146th BU (P-47s); Mar 1945 - June 1945. Sellfridge Field, MI

    AFPGC, 621st AAFBU (P-47s, B-25s, C-47s, & AT6Fs); June 1945 - Sept 1946. Pinecastle Field, Orlando, FL

  • Note: Attended the Army War College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, during this tour of duty.

    APGC, 611th AAF BU; Sept 1946 - May 1947. Eglin Field, FL

    1st AD, 26th Fighter Squadron (P-47s/F-80s); June 1947 - Aug 1949. Okinawa

    APG, 3201st Base Flt Sq.; Sept 1949 - Feb 1954. Eglin AFB, FL

    Promoted to Major - Nov 1951

    AAC, 5001st Air Base Squadron (C-47s, C-54s, C-119s); Mar 1954 - June 1956. Ladd AF Base, Alaska

    83rd FDAYWG, 83rd ABGRU; July 1956 to Nov 1956. Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, NC

    482nd FIS, Materiel Officer; Nov 1956 - Jan 29, 1958. Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, NC

    48th FIS, Maintenance Officer; Feb 1958 - Aug 1959. Langley AFB, VA

    Promoted to Lt. Col. July 1, 1959

    15th Ftr. Group, 15th ABS, Maintenance Officer; Sept 1959 - June 1960. Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, NY

    July 1960 until Retirement, Base Commander, Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, NY
    & was Flight Instructor there for CONAC, 328th Troop Carrier Squadron (USAF Reserve - C-47s).

    Retired Aug 31, 1961 (rather than accept Thule after requesting a warm climate re-assignment).

    Lt. Col. Robinson was qualified in the AT6F, B17, B25, B26, C45, C47, C54, C82, C119, SA16, L20, P47, P51, P82, F80, F102, T-33, & TF-102.



    WWII Medals Awarded



    Distinguished Flying Cross --- 29 July 1944 --- 508th Squadron, 404th Fighter Group

    Air Medal --- 7 June 1944 --- 508th Squadron

  • 1st Oak Leaf Cluster ----24 June 1944 --- 508th Squadron
  • 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster ----
  • 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster --- 6 July 1944 --- 508th Squadron
  • 4th Oak Leaf Cluster --- 16 Aug 1944 --- 508th Squadron
  • 5th Oak Leaf Cluster ---
  • 6th Oak Leaf Cluster --- 25 Aug 1944 --- 508th Squadron
  • 7th Oak Leaf Cluster --- 30 Sept 1944 --- 508th Squadron

    Distinguished Unit Citation --- 404th Fighter Group --- for action on 10 Sept 1944.

    World War II Victory Medal - 10 Nov 1945

    American Theater Medal - 10 Nov 1945

    Army of Occupation Medal (Japan) --- 1 Jan 1948 --- 26th Fighter Squadron



    Photo and Data patiently provided by Col. Robinson's son, John.

    482nd FIS Webmaster: George C. Willick