Robert Wilson Vincent
Military
Object Number - FRE 1912 - Lieutenant Vincent of the 458th Bomb Group outside the officers club. Image via Lieutenant Vincent. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'In front of the...
Robert W Vincent flew 35 combat missions, 5 Truckin' and 2 weather missions with the 458th Bomb Group. Was assigned to the Azon Project (radio controlled bombs). The Azon aircraft was named 'A Dog's Life'.
Was involved in an incident that several military historians described as unparralleled in WWII. During a mission to Metz, he discovered the group was lining up on a friendly target. He advised the group leader but was rebuffed. He broke formation and led his element, and another element followed, bombing the correct target. Historians named the action, 'Vincent's Rebellion. He was threatened with a court-martial, vindicated by General Patton and was promoted.
Was assigned as project officer for infrared satelite, U-2 support and NATO. Was a career officer and retired in 1971.
DFC/ AM w/ 4 Oak Leaf Cluster/ ARCR w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster/ ADSM/ ACM/ WW II VM/ NDSM w/ 1 BSS/ AFLSA w/ 4 Oak Leaf Cluster/ EAME w/ 6 BSS/ AFOUA w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Connections
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Units served with

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Aircraft

- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: - Lady Luck - Elmer
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Welty, Oklahoma | 9 July 1920 | |
Based |
Horsham St Faith |
Revisions
Combined two entries. Now includes information from the following sources:
458bg.com & http://www.458bg.com/crewaz07morford.htm / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / document & Page 432 in the book 2ND AIR DIVISIONby Turner Publishing Company, 1998 edition (D790.A2S45)