In March 1941, at age 18, Robert (then known as Pat) joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and became known as "Paddy". After being sent to England he transferred into the Royal Air Force. He flew the mosquito airplane during most of WWII. He later transferred to the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a pilot for the OSS. On 1st March 1945 he flew a low-level flight to Berlin to parachute two OSS agents. The successful mission was flown on a moonlit night at tree-top level all the way. The zigzag course, followed rivers and other features.

After the war, he flew in the Berlin Air Lift. After graduating from test pilots school at Edwards AFB, he became a USAF acceptance pilot for the Douglas B-66 program and test flew aircraft off the production line. He then again flew reconnaissance for the OSS during the Cuban Crisis, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. During the Vietnam War he flew RB-66C Destroyers from Thailand, and on 25th February 1966, his airplane was hit by a SAM missile. He was able to fly the badly damaged aircraft to the Gulf of Tonkin. He and his crew were able to eject, a navy helicopter from the aircraft-carrier USS Ranger rescued five of the six members from the sea thus avoiding them being captured. He received the Purple Heart after breaking both legs in the ejection and the Silver Star for saving the crew. These honours were among nineteen others including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He received medals and others from Canada, Great Britain, Korea and the Republic of Vietnam. He retired a Lt. Col, then flew civil passenger aircraft until retiring a second time. Having served his country in three wars, he passed away 7th January 2010 and is buried in Texas. Many called him "Hero".



Awards: SS, DFC, AM, PH, WWII Victory, EAME, UN and Korean medal.