Bob Colvin started career as a Holloway Aviation Midshipman Class 18-48. He did his Primary and Basic training in SNJıs including Carqual. Moved to Advanced training at Cabinnis Field in Corpus Christi in F4Uıs with Carqual in Pensacola. Bob revceived his Wings in April, 1950, and was then sent to FASRON at North Island, Coronado Ca. There he flew F4U and F8F.
In June, 1950, he was transferred to the Fleet All Weather Training Squadron at Barbers Point along with 32 other Aviation Midshipmen for Night Attack or Fighter training. Colvin was selected for Attack and flew the TBM-3E. In August, 1950, he was Commissioned an Ensign, and reported to VC-35 at North Island to fly AD Skyraider Models 1Q, 2Q 3N, 4B, 4N and the SNB.
Bob made first Korean cruise with Air Group 19 Xray on Princeton CVA37 in early 1951. His second cruise on Oriskany, CVA34, in the Fall of 1952, included both night attack missions over Korea, and flights out of Atsugi Japan.
In June, 1953, he was sent back to Barb Pt. as an Instructor Pilot, and flew ADıs, F4Dıs , TV-1 and TV-2ıs. In September, 1954, Bob was transferred to the newly reopened Chase Field in Beeville Tx. There he flew T28Bıs as a jet transition trainer and TV-2ıs.
In September, 1955, sent to college at U of Colorado for bachelors degree and then on to the General Line School at Monterey Ca. ob says he got real familiar with the SNB again, and Catamatory approachıs!
1958/9 were spent as hangar and flight deck officer on Ticonderoga, CVA14, including two WestPac tours. In 1960 took a change in career path and requested anti submarine duty, and was assigned to newly formed VS29 at North Island flying S2Fıs. He then embarked for sixth westpac tour on Kearsage CVS33.
In 1962 Colvin began his first Pentagon tour flying out of old Anacostia Naval Air Station. In the Summer of 1963, he was sent off to Harvard University for a Masterıs Degree and taught Hunt Hardisty how to fly the SNB! The Summer of 1964 saw him assigned to VS30 in Key West as Ops/XO for the RAG. In the Summer of 1965, Bob was assigned to VS21 at North Island as XO/CO which deployed to Yankee Station in 1967. It was the first S2 squadron to be equipped with Bullpup missiles for mission support.
After this with a tour he was at the Army War College in Carlisle Pa. where the plane of the day was the T41 which is a Cessna 172. Bob also got to fly the Beaver-a real bush plane. Then it was back to Key West to get checked out in the SH3 anti submarine helicopter and on to Norfolk as CO Carrier Air Group 53 which embarked on Randolph CVS16 for a cruise to Rio de Janeiro. Later he was transferred to Yorktown CVS10, and flew the S2, SH3 and the Willy-Fudd.
Then it was off to the Pentagon for four years with no flying, followed by another stint at Harvard as a Fellow in International Relations, then a year in New York City as the Military Advisor to the Commission on Critical Choices for Americans.
After this with a tour he was at the Army War College in Carlisle Pa. where the plane of the day was the T41 which is a Cessna 172. Bob also got to fly the Beaver-a real bush plane. Then it was back to Key West to get checked out in the SH3 anti submarine helicopter and on to Norfolk as CO Carrier Air Group 53 which embarked on Randolph CVS16 for a cruise to Rio de Janeiro. Later he was transferred to Yorktown CVS10, and flew the S2, SH3 and the Willy-Fudd.
Then it was off to the Pentagon for four years with no flying, followed by another stint at Harvard as a Fellow in International Relations, then a year in New York City as the Military Advisor to the Commission on Critical Choices for Americans.
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Bob's picture is not presently available
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In 1976, things got better with assignment as CO Training Air Wing 4 in Corpus Christi, TX. There he flew the S2 and introduced the T44 into the Training Commandıs Multi Engine pipeline. Bob also took advantage of the opportunity to get one more ³trap² in an S2 on the Lexington. He finished his flying career with 500 traps, half at night, and rode through another 200 in the right seat of the S2 (yes, he shared landingıs).
The final stop on a wonderful career was as Commander, Naval Training Center, Great Lakes IL. Retired in 1979 with 29 years commissioned service.
Bob did not stop there. He entered the business world with a Milwaukee company, engaged in materials and equipment moving, and had a fulfilling second career as a top level executive in contract administration. He and his wife Judy, Winter in Tequesta and sepnd their Summers in Wisconsin.
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