USAF ROTORHEAD Members

Bob Strout

July 1956 – Enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program, Lackland AFB; Hondo AB, Texas (T-28); Reese AFB, Texas (B-25).

Feb/Mar 1958 – Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in January 1958. USAF Helicopter Pilot School, Randolph AFB, Texas.

Apr. 1958 – Mountain Phase Helicopter Training, Stead AFB, NV.

June 1958 – 84th Air Base Sq, 4700th Air Defense Wing, Geiger Field, WA. H-19B Radar Site Support, Base Rescue, Duty Officer, Wing Operations. (Touchdown pickup of the first pilot to successfully eject from an F-104 and walk away)

April 1960 – 6314th Air Base Wing, Base Operations, Osan AB Korea, H-19B Base Rescue, Med-evacs, “Mickey Mouse Transport Service”, Flag Officer Transport, Pilot, Instructor Pilot.

June 1961 – 310th Bomb Wing, Base Operations/Missile Site Support, Schilling AFB, KS, H-19B, Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Flight Examiner.

March 1963 – 820th Combat Support Group, Base Operations/Missile Site Support, Plattsburg AFB, NY., H-19B, Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Flight Examiner. (Winged “S” as co-pilot on a hoist rescue of lost Doctor – Winged “S” as A/C on a night hoist rescue of five civilians stranded on a rock below a dam in the Hudson River gorge, upstate NY. Required four separate approaches to high hovers to extract three adults and two children)[Lots of fun]

June 1965 – 351st Strategic Missile Wing, Base Operations, Whiteman AFB, MO., UH-1F Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Flight Examiner “E” Flight,

April 1967) – 20th Helicopter Squadron, Nha Trang AB, Republic of Viet Nam, UH-1F/P Guns. Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Standardization/Flight Examiner. Developed the gunship/slick tactics used by the Green Hornets assigned to MACV-SOG.

August 1968 – July 1972) – 24th Special Operations Wing, Stan/Eval., Howard – Albrook AFB, Panama Canal Zone, UH-1F/P/N, Pilot, Instructor Pilot Flight Examiner. Involved in Special Operations training course for South American Pilots, bunches of other stuff.

August 1972 – August 1979 – 3636 Combat Crew Training Wing, Fairchild AFB, WA. [Flew an LGD-Large Grey Desk]. Deputy Commander for Resources, USAF Survival Training Wing. Retired from Active Duty.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ Final Flight 30 August 2019 ~

Robert P. Strout, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
May 06, 1936 – August 30, 2019

Lt.-Colonel Robert (Bob) P. Strout, 83, died peacefully in his Medical Lake, Wash. home on Aug. 30, 2019, surrounded by his family.

He served 23 years with the U.S. Air Force. He flew a Huey helicopter in Vietnam as a Green Hornet and was awarded a Bronze Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses and a Silver Star during that time.

Bob Strout was born May 6, 1936 in La Salle to Everett M. and Carolyn (Schopp) Strout. In 1956, Bob married the love of his life, Donna Busch of Ottawa.

He is survived by four sons and two daughters: Steve and Sheryl of Fort Worth, Texas, Eric and Linda of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Jon of Medical Lake Wash. and Jeanna of Medical Lake, Jim and Hanne of Oslo, Norway and Linda of Seattle: two granddaughters Sarah and Amanda: great-granddaughter Meika: daughter in law Julie and brother John of Cape Girardeau, Mo.

He is preceded in death by his wife Donna, son Robert and sister Margareth.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Robert P. Strout
DATE OF BIRTH: May 06, 1936
HOME OF RECORD:
La Salle, Illinois

AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION: 1 of 7

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
Rank: Captain
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-226 (January 19, 1968)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Robert P. Strout, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a UH-1F helicopter Aircraft Commander of the 20th Helicopter Squadron, in action near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 October 1967. On that date, Captain Strout was scrambled to assist in suppressing ground fire around a downed A-1E Skyraider. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he made repeated firing passes and destroyed five automatic weapons positions under heavy hostile fire. His own aircraft was hit and partially disabled, but with superb airmanship he managed to return to Dak To. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Strout has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1447 (September 19, 1967)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Robert P. Strout, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F helicopter pilot in Southeast Asia on 13 June 1967. On that date, Captain Strout flew lead gunship cover for three H-34 helicopters making an insertion of a reconnaissance team in unfriendly territory. Shortly after deplaning, the team made heavy contact with hostile forces. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Strout made several low passes through intense ground fire to divert fire from the ground team until they could secure their position. Subsequently, he flew through the same intense ground fire that damaged one helicopter and shot down another, to escort an H-34 making a successful rescue of the reconnaissance team and the crew from the downed aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1447 (September 19, 1967)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Robert P. Strout, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F helicopter pilot in Southeast Asia on 13 June 1967. On that date, Captain Strout flew lead gunship cover for three H-34 helicopters making an insertion of a reconnaissance team in unfriendly territory. Shortly after deplaning, the team made heavy contact with hostile forces. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Strout made several low passes through intense ground fire to divert fire from the ground team until they could secure their position. Subsequently, he flew through the same intense ground fire that damaged one helicopter and shot down another, to escort an H-34 making a successful rescue of the reconnaissance team and the crew from the downed aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
Rank: Captain
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1473 (September 22, 1967)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert P. Strout, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F Helicopter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 22 June 1967. On that date, Captain Strout was scrambled as lead gunship in a flight of two armed helicopters to provide close air support for an Army unit engaged with hostile forces. Upon arrival at the scene, Captain Strout learned that the Army unit had been cut in half and was in great danger of being overrun. Forewarned to expect heavy ground fire and despite a very low ceiling, Captain Strout made repeated firing passes through intense ground fire in a successful attempt to prevent the hostile forces from completely destroying the friendly unit. After expending all of his rockets and firing most of his ammunition he flew through the intense ground fire marking known unfriendly positions with smoke grenades so that arriving A-1E’s could expend their ordnance without endangering the friendly unit. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-604 (February 24, 1968)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Robert P. Strout, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F Helicopter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 13 October 1967. On that date, Captain Strout was scrambled as lead of two armed helicopters to provide gunship cover for seven unarmed helicopters which were to extract a large force of American and friendly allies who were surrounded by hostile forces. Although one gunship had been moderately damaged just prior to his arrival at the scene, Captain Strout, without hesitation, led the gunships on several low-level rocket and gun passes in an attempt to break the attack. He maintained his low-level protective orbit for approximately forty-five minutes while the party moved to a more suitable landing zone. Subsequently, he jettisoned his remaining ammunition and made an approach to the landing zone, unarmed, to pick up the remaining members of the assault party when three of the extraction helicopters ran low on fuel and had to return to friendly territory for re-servicing. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
Rank: Captain
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2378 (August 5, 1968)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert P. Strout, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F Helicopter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 9 December 1967. On that date, Captain Strout led a flight of two armed helicopters in response to a call for help from a reconnaissance team that was pinned down by a large group of hostile forces. Captain Strout made a low level turn and pressed the attack. He made several low level passes over the area to check for ground fire before an unarmed helicopter was called in to extract the team. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
Rank: Captain
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2663 (August 27, 1968)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert P. Strout, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F Helicopter Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 1 February 1968. On that date, Captain Strout flew in support of United States Army and Allied Forces during the TET Offensive. A large hostile force had occupied an entire city block of Ban Me Thout and friendlies could not advance due to the heavy weapons of the unfriendlies. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Strout made repeated rocket and mini-gun passes through heavy automatic weapons fire and was successful in driving the hostile forces from the area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bronze Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
Rank: Captain
GENERAL ORDERS:

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Captain Robert P. Strout, United States Air Force, for meritorious service as a UH-1F Instructor, 20th Helicopter Squadron, Republic of Vietnam, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in operations against an opposing armed force from 1 June 1967 to 1 April 1968. During this period, Captain Strout was responsible for the development of the tactics and procedures used by the first unit of armed counterinsurgency helicopters in the Air Force. The success of the procedures which he developed are attested by the face that with their use the unit was able to continuously accomplish its mission under hostile fire without the loss of personnel or aircraft. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned

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