24 Facts About Louis Robertshaw

Louis Bentham Robertshaw was an American football player and lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps.

Louis Robertshaw flew combat missions in World War II and the Korean War and flew an F4B Phantom II fighter in the Vietnam War as commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

Louis Robertshaw entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1932, played center for Navy Midshipmen football team and was selected as a third-team All-American in 1935.

Louis Robertshaw was assigned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard where he completed The Basic School for Marine Corps officers in June 1937.

Louis Robertshaw served with the 6th Marine Regiment in Shanghai, China, and participated in the defense of the International Settlement in Shanghai from October 1937 to February 1938.

In October 1941, while serving as an instructor at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Louis Robertshaw was promoted to the rank of captain.

In February 1942, two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Louis Robertshaw entered flight school at the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Louis Robertshaw completed the course in August 1942 and became a Naval Aviator with the rank of major.

In October 1942, Louis Robertshaw was assigned to serve at Noumea in New Caledonia.

Louis Robertshaw assumed command of Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 132, an SBD Dauntless dive bomber squadron, in December 1942, after the prior commanding officer became a casualty.

Louis Robertshaw's unit moved to Espiritu Santo where they became part of the Strike Command of the 13th Air Force, responsible for attacking nearby enemy bases and shipping and giving what was then considered close support to front-line units.

Louis Robertshaw was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and six Air Medals for his service in World War II, including an air attack on a group of Japanese transports in which Louis Robertshaw scored a direct hit on one transport and severely damaged land installations in the area of the Solomon Islands in November and December 1942.

In January 1944, Louis Robertshaw returned to the United States, where he became the commanding officer of Marine Base Defense Group 41 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.

Louis Robertshaw was later assigned to serve as Marine Aviation Officer on the staff of the Commander of Naval Activities in Japan.

Louis Robertshaw returned to the United States in July 1946 and served at the Marine Corps Air Stations in Miramar, California, El Toro, and Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

Louis Robertshaw later served in the Division of Aviation at Marine Corps Headquarters.

Louis Robertshaw was promoted to the rank of colonel in February 1951.

Louis Robertshaw flew 77 missions in Korea from September 1952 to May 1953, flying an F9F Panther jet while stationed at Pusan Air Base.

From July 1954 to August 1956, Louis Robertshaw served on the staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific at Pearl Harbor.

From 1956 to 1957, Louis Robertshaw was a member of the Advanced Research Group, Marine Corps Educational Center, in Quantico.

In November 1959, Louis Robertshaw became the assistant wing commander, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

Louis Robertshaw rose to the rank of lieutenant general and was the Inspector General of the Marine Corps from July 1967 to March 1969.

Louis Robertshaw was the deputy chief of staff for manpower at Headquarters Marine Corps when he retired in 1971.

Louis Robertshaw was survived by his wife, Marjo Robertshaw and four sons, Larry, Chad, David and Dan.