Forman, Robert D. 1911-1971

Robert D. Forman (1911-1971) was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended the Southwestern University, Memphis, Tennessee and studied law at the University of Memphis. In 1938, he joined the Army Air Corps reserve, trained as a pilot and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in September, 1939. He was called to active duty in September, 1940. Forman trained flying cadets and instructed pilots at the advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas, during the early years of World War II. In 1943, he became a member of the Air Transport Command, and began flying international missions in support of the Allied war effort. By 1945, he was the chief pilot for the India-China Division of the Air Transport Command. After the war, Forman served in Europe, directing combined British and American operations for the Berlin Airlift. He was assigned command of a troop carrier group in Europe, but was reassigned to the Pacific at the outbreak of the Korean Conflict as Director of Operations, Combat Cargo Command, Far East. During the war, Forman flew C-47 missions evacuating casualties out of the battlefields of North Korea. After the war, he served as Deputy Director for Operations for the Military Air Transport Service, and again was sent to Europe, serving in Evreux-Fauville, France as a base and wing commander in 1956. In 1958, he assumed command of the 1611th Air Transport Wing, McGuire AFB, New Jersey. By 1961, he had assumed command of the 1602nd Air Transport Wing at Chaeauroux, France. Forman would retire from active duty on March 1, 1966. His career decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with cluster, and Distinguished Flying Cross with two clusters, earned for meritorious conduct and service during the Korean Conflict. He died on June 19, 1971.