Robert M. DeHaven | WWII fighter ace, 86
Robert M. DeHaven, 86, a World War II fighter ace who downed 14 enemy planes in the Pacific and later became a test pilot and executive with Hughes Aircraft, died July 10 at a hospital near his home in suburban Los Angeles.
Robert M. DeHaven, 86, a World War II fighter ace who downed 14 enemy planes in the Pacific and later became a test pilot and executive with Hughes Aircraft, died July 10 at a hospital near his home in suburban Los Angeles.
In 1943, Mr. DeHaven was assigned to the 49th Fighter Group of the Seventh Fighter Squadron in New Guinea. According to the American Fighter Aces Association, on Dec. 10, 1943, Mr. DeHaven shot down 10 Japanese aircraft in offensives over Buna, Lae, Markham Valley, Hollandia and Biak islands.
During seven days beginning in late October 1944, Mr. DeHaven downed four enemy planes in the Philippines, bringing his total to 14.
He received several medals, including the Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, which was awarded after he saved a fellow pilot whose plane was surrounded by Japanese fighters.
After the war, Mr. DeHaven was spotted by a talent agent and signed a contract with Columbia Pictures. He made minor appearances in three movies before giving up on acting. He met Howard Hughes, who offered Mr. DeHaven a job as his personal pilot and a test pilot for his aircraft company. Mr. DeHaven later rose to director of the flight test division. - Los Angeles Times