Robert Louis Rizon, USAF

[HAHalliday]

The a/n officer was originally a member of the RCAF (see award data below) but transferred to US forces. As near as I can determine, he became a Lieutenant-Colonel (or higher) and was quite active in the 1940s and 1950s in search and rescue work. I wish to know more about his USAAF/USAF career and would appreciate hearing from readers. Furthermore, I will be able to access his RCAF file, but only if he has been deceased for 20 years or more. Is he he still alive ? If not, can a record of his decease be provided ?


RIZON, F/O Robert Louis (C2846) - Air Force Cross - No.13 (Operational Training) Squadron, Patricia Bay - Award effective 11 June 1942 as per London Gazette dated 11 June 1942 and AFRO 1000-1001/42 dated 3 July 1942. American; home in Los Angeles, California; enlisted in Ottawa, 3 October 1940. Graduated from No.1 BGS, Jarvis, Ontario, 11 December 1940. As Flight Lieutenant, appointed to command "C" Flight of unit, 26 March 1942. Transferred to USAAF on 1 June 1942 and was reported as a Captain when award announced.

On 2 November 1941, while taking off in Stranraer 932 in Patricia Bay on an instructional flight, his port engine burst into flames. He stopped his take-off and had the fire extinguisher pulled. This did not have any appreciable effect on the fire. He ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft, which was done with the exception of one man who, in the excitement, could not find his life-saving jacket (which was still in the aircraft) and could not swim. Flying Officer Rizon and LAC Hunt then climbed back aboard. By this time the port upper and lower wings were afire. Flying Officer Rizon stood behind the port engine and under the main fuel tanks, which were wreathed in flames, and finally succeeded in putting the fire out with extinguishers and buckets of sea water. Flying Officer Rizon showed complete disregard of personal safety. His action saved the aircraft from complete destruction and also possible loss of life of some members of his crew.

The diary of No.13 (Operational Training) Squadron has the following account of 2 November 1941:

Stranraer 932, pilot F/O Rizon, second pilot P/O Mills, crew LAC Norridge, Hunt, and Young, caught fire port engine on take-off run. All occupants abandoned aircraft after unsuccessful efforts to extinguish fire with aircraft extinguishers. F/O Rizon and LAC Hunt later climbed back aboard and extinguished fire after both port mainplanes were burned.

The diary entry for 10 June 1942 read, in part:

F/L R. Rizon, at present Captain in U.S. Army Air Force, and LAC Hunt have been awarded the AFC and AFM respectively for devotion to duty in fighting fire aboard the Stranraer after it had been landed with the wings aflame.