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WWII, Korean War veteran, JB MDL RAO officer celebrates 90th birthday

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Today retired Lt. Col. Robert Hansen celebrates his 90th birthday.

Hansen joined the Army Air Corps at the age of 20, served as a pilot in both World War II and the Korean War and ended his military career as a C-141 Starlifter aircraft commander attached with the 6th Airlift Squadron here.

Hansen is known around Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for his contributions to the retired veterans' community as he worked at the Joint Base Retirees Affairs Office since 1977.

"The service he's given to others has helped solve problems retirees face on a daily basis," said retired Col. Roger Hansen, Robert's eldest son. "He also served on the Air Force Retiree Council, which required him to visit other bases in the northeast."

Before working at the Joint Base Retirees Affairs Office, Hansen served as a pilot in the Air Force for 30 years. He flew in both World War II and the Korean War, flying mission such as bombing, relief and even evacuation of casualties.

"Lt. Col. Hansen put his life on the line countless times through two major wars becoming an elite aviator who ended his career here at the joint base," said Navy Capt. Andrew Butterfield, JB MDL deputy commander. "His contributions to this country and base cannot be measured. He is part of the greatest generation to ever live and still holds true to this title."

Hansen spent a third of his life serving in the military. He joined the Army Air Corps Jan. 15, 1942 at the age of 20 in Rochester, N.Y. He then transitioned to the newly formed Air Force. During his thirty years of service, Hansen piloted various aircraft, including the B-24 Liberator and the C-97 Stratocruiser during both World War II and the Korean War.

He spent 10 weeks at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. where he completed basic training. Prior to serving in World War II as a pilot, Hansen was required to complete 250 hours of flight training at San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center, Texas, which consisted of: pre-flight school, primary flying school, basic flying school, advanced flying school and transition flying school.

Once Hansen's flight training was complete, he received orders to Horsham-Saint Faith Airfield - Norwich, England, where he flew the B-24 with the 754th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy). His mission consisted of dropping large amounts of bombs onto enemy targets over Germany from May 1, 1944 to July 1, 1945.

Hansen returned to his home in Rochester, N.Y. after flying 30 combat sorties and more than 50 local sorties in Europe during World War II.

He was recalled to serve in the Korean War Shortly after returning home, where he flew the C-97 Stratocruiser transporting troops, evacuating casualties and carrying relief materials.

Hansen concluded his career as a C-141 aircraft commander attached with the 6th Airlift Squadron here. He soon retired from the Air Force in 1977 with 30 years and more than 10,000 flight hours under his wings.

His service and dedications to the Air Force inspired all of his children to give back, in one way or another, to the military. His two sons served in the Air Force as pilots, one retiring as a colonel and the other as a lieutenant colonel.

"I joined the military to follow in my dad's footsteps," said retired Lt. Col. Richard Hansen, Robert youngest son. "I saw the satisfaction my father got from serving and I wanted the same life."

Hansen's daughter, Debra, works at the 305th Aerial Port Squadron as the flight chief of combat readiness.

"My Father's lifelong dedication to the United States Air Force instilled in me the understanding that service to our country is the single most important thing a person can do," said Debra. "My career choice was driven directly from the values I learned from watching my family adapt to the demands of the military life style. What we do every day, whether serving as a military member or DOD employee, makes a huge positive impact in people's lives across the world. The sense of accomplishment I have at the end of every day cannot be matched."

Hansen's service not only inspired his children, but has played a role in one of his grandchildren's life as well. Debra's son Christopher has passion for history and will begin college next fall.

"It has been awesome to be able to grow up reading stuff in history books, and then be able to talk to somebody who experienced it," said Christopher. "My grandfather is the number one reason why the 20th century and World War II specifically have become my favorite parts of history to study. Relative to that, my grandfather has been an inspiration for me. I believe he has been one of the driving motivators, which has gotten me to where I am now, as president of my high school's National Honor Society and preparing to attend Texas A&M University next fall."

Family, friends and brothers in arms are gathering in New Jersey today to celebrate not only retired Col. Robert Hansen's contributions to the retiree community here and around the country, but also his dedication to country and family.

"We are having a grand celebration with family and friends who have known dad in both his active-duty and retired life," said Roger Hansen. "The manner in which my father served his country both on active-duty and in his retired life is what I am proudest of him for."