Robert M. DeHaven
49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS)
P-40 Warhawk Pilot and Ace
Background
Robert "Bob" DeHaven was born January 13, 1922 in San Diego, California. Nicknamed "Bob". He graduated from North Hollywood High School and attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.
Wartime History
During early 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as an aviation cadet and completed flight training earning his wings. DeHaven was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-736149 and sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS) based at Dobodura No. 4 Airfield (Horanda Airfield) in New Guinea. He flew combat mission over Buna, Lae, Markham Valley, Hollandia and Biak in and Leyte. In total, he was credited with fourteen aerial victories.
Aerial Victory Claims
DeHaven was officially credited with fourteen aerial victories between July 14, 1943 to November 4, 1944.
| Victory |
Date |
Location |
Aircraft |
Notes on claim |
| 1 |
07/14/43 |
|
|
First aerial victory claim. |
| 2 |
10/17/43 |
Dobodura |
A6M Zero |
Second aerial victory claim. |
| 3 |
10/27/43 |
|
|
Third aerial victory claim. |
| 4 |
10/27/43 |
|
|
Fourth aerial victory claim. |
| 5 |
12/10/43 |
|
|
Fifth aerial victory claim, became an "ace". |
| 6 |
12/12/43 |
|
|
Sixth aerial victory claim. |
| 7 |
01/02/44 |
|
|
Seventh aerial victory claim. |
| 8 |
01/23/44 |
Wewak |
Ki-43 pilot Nongo |
Eighth aerial victory claim. |
| 9 |
03/15/44 |
|
|
Ninth aerial victory claim. |
| 10 |
05/07/44 |
|
|
Tenth aerial victory claim, became a double "ace" |
| 11 |
10/29/44 |
|
|
Eleventh aerial victory claim. |
| 12 |
11/01/44 |
|
|
Twelfth aerial victory claim. |
| 13 |
11/02/44 |
|
|
Thirteenth aerial victory claim. |
| 14 |
11/04/44 |
|
|
Fourteenth aerial victory claim. |
Awards
DeHaven earned the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, awarded for saving a fellow pilot who was surrounded by Japanese fighters.
Postwar
After returning home, DeHaven was spotted by a Hollywood talent agent and signed a contract with Columbia Pictures and appeared in three films: Crime Doctor's Man Hunt (1946) as a sailor (uncredited), Gallant Journey (1946 as Jim Logan as a boy and finally Blondie's Big Moment (1947) as "Pete" (uncredited). In Hollywood, DeHaven met Howard Hughes who offered him a job as his personal pilot and test pilot for Hughes Aircraft Company and was later promoted to become director of the flight test division. When he retired in the 1980s he continued to live in
Encino, California.
Memorials
DeHaven passed away on July 10, 2008 at age 86 after a long illness at the hospital in Encino, California. His burial location is unknown.
Relatives
Betty Stewart (sister)
Diane DeHaven (wife)
Chappie DeHaven (son)
Kimberly DeHaven (son)
Robert DeHaven, Jr. (son)
References
Note, some sources spell his name DeHaven (one word) verus De Haven (two words).
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: DeHaven, Robert page 52 (PDF page 57)
Internet Movie Database (IMDB) - Robert De Haven
49th Fighter Group (1989) mentions DeHaven
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 35 (49th FG, 7th FS DeHaven)
FindAGrave - Robert M. DeHaven (obituary)
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