THELEN, Robert H.

THELEN, Robert H. (Dubuque, IA, Nov. 26, 1920--Oceanside, CA, Sept. 9, 2003). Thelen achieved "ace" status during WORLD WAR II in action over Guam in the South Pacific. A VF24-F6F pilot, he shot down three A6Ms at 0845 hours. (1) He was eventually credit with 6.5 downed planes. (2) From 1947-1948 he was a pilot in the Navy Blue Angels. (3)

Lieutenant Robert H. Thelen, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving in Fighter Squadron THIRTY-THREE (VF-33), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 19 January 1951. (4)

Thelen retired in 1976 as a U.S. Navy commander. He was a member of the Fighter Aces Association.

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Source:

1) Hammel, Eric Hammel, Air War Pacific: Chronology. Online: http://books.google.com/books?id=axswofl9tBgC&pg=PA389&lpg=PA389&dq=Robert+Thelen+%28pilot%29&source=bl&ots=1vtj5MoHNL&sig=xYRpjnf8dzUQPXysip5C1viZz50&hl=en&sa=X&ei=spKVUfiNOMaBrAGPqYHQCg&ved=0CFAQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=Robert%20Thelen%20%28pilot%29&f=false

2) American Fighter Aces-U. S. Navy Aces, 1939-1945. Online: http://www.americanfighteraces.org/wwllnavy_s-z.html

3) U. S. Warbirds. Online: http://www.uswarbirds.org/fallenangels.html

4) Military Times Hall of Valor. Online: http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/search.php?term=&conflict=&medal=&service=2&page=235

5) Obituaries. U-T San Diego--http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2003/Sep/15/obituaries-91403/all/