Robert Neale (pilot)
Encyclopedia
A Seattle resident, Robert Neale was a United States Navy
dive-bomber pilot on the aircraft carrier when he joined the American Volunteer Group
of the Chinese Air Force
in the summer of 1941.
He took over the AVG's 1st Squadron Adam & Eves after its commander Robert Sandy Sandell was killed, and was decorated by the British Government (Distinguished Service Order
) for his exploits in the defense of Burma. Neale was one of the AVG pilots who volunteered two weeks' additional service in China after the group was disbanded; during that interim, he commanded the U.S. Army's 23rd Fighter Group—as a civilian—pending the arrival of the designated commander, Colonel Robert Scott.
After returning to the U.S., he served as a civilian transport or ferry pilot for Pan American World Airways
. The AVG records credit him with 13 air-to-air victories, making him its top-scoring ace
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
dive-bomber pilot on the aircraft carrier when he joined the American Volunteer Group
Flying Tigers
The 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force in 1941–1942, famously nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was composed of pilots from the United States Army , Navy , and Marine Corps , recruited under presidential sanction and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. The ground crew and headquarters...
of the Chinese Air Force
Republic of China Air Force
The Republic of China Air Force is the aviation branch of the Republic of China Armed Forces. The ROCAF's primary mission is the defense of the airspace over and around Taiwan...
in the summer of 1941.
He took over the AVG's 1st Squadron Adam & Eves after its commander Robert Sandy Sandell was killed, and was decorated by the British Government (Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
) for his exploits in the defense of Burma. Neale was one of the AVG pilots who volunteered two weeks' additional service in China after the group was disbanded; during that interim, he commanded the U.S. Army's 23rd Fighter Group—as a civilian—pending the arrival of the designated commander, Colonel Robert Scott.
After returning to the U.S., he served as a civilian transport or ferry pilot for Pan American World Airways
Pan American World Airways
Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4, 1991...
. The AVG records credit him with 13 air-to-air victories, making him its top-scoring ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
.