Person:Robert Kirschner (1)

Buried section 33 site 4183 Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

Rank shows as AMCA USN

Beleive his wife may have been named Joan W. Kirschner and lived at Pompano Beach FL at one time

may have served on USS Hancock

notes: VP28 based at NAS Atsugi, Japan - by 1951 60 combat missions 3,300 air hours over Korea

flew PB4Y Privateers

Jan 1951 patrol squadron six 1st squard operating from station-followed by Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 120 based at Appenia near Yokashuha - to support the VP-6 "neptune" planes

EXCERPT FROM BOOK "Enlisted Naval Aviation Pilots 1916-1981" by Harold H. Kelly, Wm A. Riley published by Turner Publishing 2002 Page 70-71 Korean Air War - 60 missions

  Whitehat Patrol Plane Commander in 1951
    VP-28 based at NAS Atsugi, Japan, has a white hat pilot, one of the few in the Navy, with 60 combat missions over Korea.
    The man is Robert G. Kirschner, aviation structural mechanic first class, whose 60 missions were flying PB47 Privateers.  Kirschner has more than 3,300 stick hours and has flown almost every Navy plane except jets, even trying out an Air Force B-29.
    Late in the war he has specialized in night flare dropping operations in direct support of 1st Marine Air Wing night fighters.  Before that he was flying shipping surveillance and weather patrol missions.
    His Privateer usually carries a crew of 12.  As plane commander he is over three officers and numerous enlisted men senior to him.  LCdr. Edward R. Hawley, Kirschner's immediate supervisor in the squadron, often rides as co-pilot.
    Inquiry among the crew proved that Kirschner was an able and popular plane commander.  Said T. M. Miller, tail gunner, "A damn good pilot.  Never a worry about cockpit trouble with Kirsch."  Radar Operator W. H. Wymond said "There's never a sweat with ole Kirsch.  He's the best."
    When he enlisted in June 1941, Kirschner went to Navy hydraulic school, served on the MONTEREY and 1944 was assigned to flight training.  He won his wings in 1947 and joined his present squadron in Guam that year.
    Kirschner finds his white hat inconvenient when he lands at airfields controlled by other armed servies.  "They figured I've stolen a plane somewhere and am just out for a dangerous joyride," he said.

(reprinted from The Scuttlebutt June 1989) (Note: There is a picture on page 12 of this book of Kirschner receiving his wings in 1947. There is also some more information on Kirschner on page 227 according to search but that page was unavailable for an online review of that page and our local (Omaha,NE) library does not have a copy of this book.)

Excerpt from book USS Hancock CV/CVA-19 Fighting Hannah (USS Hancock Veterans) by Phillip A. St. John. (page 147

On one mission, an indocturnation flight with the legendary enlisted pilot Robert Kirschner, hes crew in conjunction with marine Captain..........

Flags: 0

1. ↑ Excerpt from Book.

   EXCERPT FROM BOOK "Enlisted Naval Aviation Pilots 1916-1981" by Harold H. Kelly, Wm A. Riley published by Turner Publishing 2002
   Page 70-71
   Korean Air War - 60 missions
   Whitehat Patrol Plane Commander in 1951
   VP-28 based at NAS Atsugi, Japan, has a white hat pilot, one of the few in the Navy, with 60 combat missions over Korea.
   The man is Robert G. Kirschner, aviation structural mechanic first class, whose 60 missions were flying PB47 Privateers. Kirschner has more than 3,300 stick hours and has flown almost every Navy plane except jets, even trying out an Air Force B-29.
   Late in the war he has specialized in night flare dropping operations in direct support of 1st Marine Air Wing night fighters. Before that he was flying shipping surveillance and weather patrol missions.
   His Privateer usually carries a crew of 12. As plane commander he is over three officers and numerous enlisted men senior to him. LCdr. Edward R. Hawley, Kirschner's immediate supervisor in the squadron, often rides as co-pilot.
   Inquiry among the crew proved that Kirschner was an able and popular plane commander. Said T. M. Miller, tail gunner, "A damn good pilot. Never a worry about cockpit trouble with Kirsch." Radar Operator W. H. Wymond said "There's never a sweat with ole Kirsch. He's the best."
   When he enlisted in June 1941, Kirschner went to Navy hydraulic school, served on the MONTEREY and 1944 was assigned to flight training. He won his wings in 1947 and joined his present squadron in Guam that year.
   Kirschner finds his white hat inconvenient when he lands at airfields controlled by other armed servies. "They figured I've stolen a plane somewhere and am just out for a dangerous joyride," he said.
   (reprinted from The Scuttlebutt June 1989)
   (Note: There is a picture on page 12 of this book of Kirschner receiving his wings in 1947. There is also some more information on Kirschner on page 227 according to search but that page was unavailable for an online review of that page and our local (Omaha,NE)

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} Harold H. Kelly & William A..Riley, Silver Eagle Association. Enlisted Naval Aviation Pilots 1916-1981
   page 12, 70-71, 227.
3. ↑ Cemetery Record.