Video from the Past [36] - Robert "Shorty" Rankin - Ace in a Day

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• published: 07 Mar 2015
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Video from the Past [36] - Robert "Shorty" Rankin - Ace in a Day DISCLAIMER: This interview was taken from the "Timeless Voices" series available on the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association). For another very interesting interview: http://www.ww2online.org/view/robert-rankin/segment-4/59998 "Shorty" Rankin was a famous WW2 P-47 Thunderbolt. He was assigned to the 56th Fighter Group, headed by the famous Col. Hubert Zemke. Zemke is recognized as one of the greatest aerial combat leaders of all time. This group of fighter pilots was known as “Zemke’s Wolfpack”. By the end of WWII, the Wolfpack had amassed the record number of enemy aircraft destroyed by any fighter group in the entire 8th Air Force of the European Theatre Operations. Robert Rankin flew and fought alongside many other great pilots, such as Hub Zemke, Bob Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Francis Gabreski, Walker Mahurin and Dave Schilling, to name but a few. The 56th FG has been credited with turning the tide of the air war in Europe through new tactics and innovations which were adapted for use by the entire 8th Air Force. While deep on a combat mission over Germany, in the Frankfurt area on May 12, 1944, Rankin shot down five German Me 109 fighters. During the same action, he destroyed an enemy plane attempting to shoot down Col Zemke himself. For this he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (second only to the Medal of Honor). He became the first P-47 pilot to destroy five enemy planes in a single mission in the entire European Theatre of Operations. By the end of Rankin‘s tour of duty, August 1944, he was credited with ten aerial victories, one probable and two damaged. Robert originally planned on leaving the Army Air Force after WWII. But he then decided to remain in service to his country and became a career officer in the newly established US Air Force. In 1950, Rankin was once again in combat as the Director of Operations over the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing in Korea. Over the next 11 years, Rankin would command six fighter-interceptor squadrons. He was promoted to Colonel November 9, 1963. In the early 1960’s he served as the Air Attache’ for the USAF in Thailand. He also commanded a Fighter-Interceptor squadron in Ramstein, Germany. After more than 32 years of dedicated service to his country, he retired as Vice Commander of the 20th Air Division on April 1,1973. Upon his retirement he had moved 38 times and seen much of the world. Colonel Rankin saw foreign service in England, France, Germany, Korea and Thailand. He had flown at least thirty different types of aircraft. Decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster. These are but a few of his many decorations.