Robert M. (Bob) Todd’s Followers

None yet.

Robert M. (Bob) Todd

Born

in Cincinnati (Ohio), The United States

June 24, 1897

Died

January 20, 1988

edit data

Robert M. (Bob) Todd was an American World War I fighter ace credited with shooting down 5 German aircraft over the Western Front during the Summer of 1918.

Todd joined the United States Army Air Service on 6 August 1917. He was studying engineering at the University of Cincinnati; however, he graduated from the Ohio State University School of Aeronautics in October. He then underwent aviation training at Benbrook Field, Texas before moving on to Canada for further training.

Todd served with the 17th Aero Squadron in France; the American squadron was under British control. Todd destroyed four enemy airplanes and an observation balloon during August 1918. On 26 August 1918, Todd and seven squadron mates were in a dogfight with 40 Fokkers of G Robert M. (Bob) Todd was an American World War I fighter ace credited with shooting down 5 German aircraft over the Western Front during the Summer of 1918.

Todd joined the United States Army Air Service on 6 August 1917. He was studying engineering at the University of Cincinnati; however, he graduated from the Ohio State University School of Aeronautics in October. He then underwent aviation training at Benbrook Field, Texas before moving on to Canada for further training.

Todd served with the 17th Aero Squadron in France; the American squadron was under British control. Todd destroyed four enemy airplanes and an observation balloon during August 1918. On 26 August 1918, Todd and seven squadron mates were in a dogfight with 40 Fokkers of Germany's Jagdgeschwader 3.

Immediately after Todd shot down his final victim on 26 August 1918, he fell under the guns of Rudolf Klimke of Jagdstaffel 27, one of seven Camels downed that day by the Germans. Todd was wounded, but survived, and was held captive as a prisoner of war until December 1918. German soldiers rescuing him from the overturned wreckage of his plane broke his foot, and he was abused by German housewives on the way to prison.

After his return to the U. S., Todd once again took up engineering.

During World War II, Todd returned to military service; however, his eyesight was no longer acute enough for him to fly. He served in logistics for both the Eighth Air Force and the Ninth Air Force until 1944, commanding a 5,000 man air depot group. He also served as a commander of a staging area for gliders.

Todd stayed on after war's end to aid in the disposal of combat material, but quit in disgust when he found that serviceable goods that could have been converted to civilian use were instead being dumped.

Todd moved to San Diego in 1952. He retired from military service as a lieutenant colonel in 1965.

In 1978, Todd's combat memoir, 'Sopwith Camel Fighter Ace', was published.

In 1981, Todd was one of a group of World War I aces who returned to France for an Armistice Day celebration. A year later, he belatedly received the Purple Heart for the wound he received on 26 August 1918. ...more