This is the engaging life story of a decorated United States Marine Corps aviator, who served with distinction in World War II, Vietnam and Korea. Colonel Robert F. Warren is the only Marine aviator who has commanded both a Marine Helicopter Squadron and later a Marine Jet Attack Squadron. Along the way, Colonel Warren earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Legion of Merit with Combat V and many other awards in recognition of his heroism and achievements in aerial flight, and his significant contributions to the success of the United States Marine Corps.
Born in Riverside, MI and raised in nearby Coloma, MI after being orphaned by the death of his mother, and the absence of his father, Bob was later adopted by family members. Separated from his older brother, they would both grow up to be pilots - Bill a pioneer in commercial aviation, and Bob a career military pilot.
Bob joined the Navy Flight Training Program in August, 1942. He received his Naval Aviator Wings and Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant commission at the age of 19. He trained to be a night fighter pilot at Vero Beach, FL in 1944.
In 1945, during World War II, Bob fought as a Marine night fighter pilot during the Battle for Okinawa, and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.
Warren instructed Marine fixed-wing pilots transitioning to helicopters, at the outbreak of the Korean War, as part of Helicopter Experimental Squadron One in Quantico, VA (HMX-1). He was one of three original officers assigned to Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMR-161); the first U.S. Military all-helicopter squadron, commissioned in January of 1951. Seven months later, HMR-161 embarked on the USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86) for Korea.
Warren was a pioneer helicopter pilot during the Korean War, designing and manufacturing external sling hoists and quick releasing cargo hooks, in the machine shop on board the Sitkoh Bay, en route to Korea. In Korea, HMR-161 was located farther into North Korea than any other U.S. or South Korean force.
Warren participated in Operations Windmill I and II, the first time entire front line battalions were relieved in place, completely by helicopter. Warren was awarded a second Distinguished Flying Cross for Operation Blackbird, a combat operation executed in complete darkness. It was considered the most dangerous mission during the squadron's entire Korean combat tour. Warren was awarded a third Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic efforts to rescue a downed pilot forty miles behind enemy lines.
After 14 years of helicopter flying, without an accident, Warren transitioned to flying swept-wing jets. He was assigned as Commanding Officer of a A-4 Marine Attack Squadron 331 (VMA-331). Colonel Warren served a thirteen month tour with distinction in Vietnam. Returning to CA, he commanded a Marine Air Group at MCAS, Tustin.
Warren retired in September, 1969 after more than 27 years of military flying. Between 1981 and 1987, Warren was recalled to active duty six times, to serve at the Pentagon on an Advisory Committee on Retired Personnel.
About the Author: Bob Warren was born in December of 1923, near the little rural village of Riverside, MI, where he was orphaned as an infant. He grew up in the small town of Coloma, MI with his adoptive parents - his maternal aunt and her husband, Ruth and Tom Warren. Bob, and his older brother, Bill lived with the Warrens until they were eleven and eight years old, when the Great Depression caused the boys to be separated, and Bill's older brother, Bill was adopted by another family in Berien Springs, MI.
Both would grow up to be pilots - Bill in commercial aviation, and Bob a United States Marine Corps aviator. Bob joined the Navy Flight Training Program in August, 1942. He received his Naval Aviator Wings and Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant commission at the age of 19. He trained to be a night fighter pilot at Vero Beach, FL in 1944.
At Vero Beach, Bob married Millie Weber, his high school sweetheart, and they would embark on what would be a 65 year long marriage. They raised two wonderful, successful children, Bill and Jeanne Warren. Bill would go on to serve in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam, and would later enjoy a remarkable career, and raise a family of his own. Jeanne became a nurse, and made her home with her husband, Conrad near New Orleans, LA.
In 1945, during World War II, Bob fought as a Marine night fighter pilot during the Battle for Okinawa, and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.
Bob was a pioneer helicopter pilot during the Korean War, and received a second and third Distinguished Flying Cross - the third one for his heroic efforts to rescue a downed pilot forty miles behind enemy lines.
After 14 years of helicopter flying, Bob transitioned to flying swept-wing jets. Colonel Warren served with distinction in Vietnam. He is the only Marine aviator who has commanded both a Marine Helicopter Squadron and later a Marine Jet Attack Squadron. Along the way, Colonel Warren earned the Legion of Merit with Combat V and many other awards in recognition of his heroism and achievements in aerial flight, and his significant contributions to the success of the United States Marine Corps.
In the years following his retirement in 1969, Colonel Warren was recalled to active duty six times, to serve at the Pentagon, as a member of the Advisory Committee on Retired Personnel. He was a Life Member of Marine Corps League Detachment #588 in Bradenton, FL.
Bob enjoyed a rich and full life in retirement; achieving success in business, spending time with his family, and his many friends old and new. He and Millie traveled frequently, had an enormous amount of fun together, and reaped the blessings of lives well lived. Millie died 8 January 2010, during the winter after she and Bob had celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary. Colonel Bob Warren died after a brief illness, at the age of 97, on 9 February 2021, in Bradenton FL.