Three-time ace, former cadet commandant, buried at academy

  • Published
  • By Butch Wehry
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Retired Brig. Gen. Robin Olds was buried June 30 at the U.S. Air Force Academy cemetery after funeral services in the cadet Protestant chapel.  A 14-aircraft aerial review included four F-4 Phantoms flying a missing man formation.

The legendary fighter pilot died June 14 from congestive heart failure, one month short of his 85th birthday.  He died peacefully at his home in Steamboat Springs, Colo., in the company of family and friends. 

Retired Gen. Ralph E. Eberhart was a cadet when then-Colonel Olds arrived to become the academy commandant in 1967.
 
"In four years he touched the lives of 7,000 cadets," said General Eberhart, then a cadet wing commander, during the chapel service.  "He was an exciting and, yes, an electrifying leader.  And it is true that the whole cadet wing wore paper handlebar mustaches to greet him.  He was thrilled." 

Retired Air Force fighter pilot Brig. Gen. Robert F. Titus described General Olds as "the best aerial combat leader that ever lived." 

General Olds' daughters, Susan Scott-Risner and Christina, and granddaughter Jennifer Newman spoke at the services. 

"Pappa, you taught me many things," she said.  She is completing a book her father was working on.
 
Christina Olds took care of her father during his last three months. 

"He loved letters and e-mail from you and from all over the world," she said to the more than 500 people in attendance. 

He shot down 13 enemy aircraft over Europe and became a triple ace 23 years later during the Vietnam War when he downed 4 MiGS.  He flew 152 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom as the commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon AB in Thailand.  General Olds' exploits as the creator and mission commander of Operation Bolo, the most successful aerial battle of the Vietnam conflict, has been documented in the recent History Channel Dogfights Special series "Air Ambush."

General Olds graduated from the United States Military Academy and served from 1943 to 1973. He was named the academy's commandant of cadets 1967 to 1971.  After retirement, he was frequently called upon as guest speaker and lecturer for his inspirational and motivational talks. He traveled all over the world speaking to military and civilian groups alike. 

He is survived by his wife, Morgan Olds, daughters Christina and Susan, granddaughter Jennifer and his half-brother, Fred Olds. 

Lt. Gen. John Regni, U.S Air Force Academy superintendent, General Olds' family and attending guests threw nickels into the vault at the cemetery, a tradition at burials for deceased fighter pilots. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association toward scholarships for the children or spouses of armed forces aircrew members killed or missing in action. 

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