Robert Baird

Robert Baird (November 13, 1921 – July 7, 1992) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps Colonel. During World War II, he shot down a total of six Japanese planes and was awarded the Navy Cross, making him the only Marine night fighter ace of the war. Early life and career Robert Baird was born on November 13, 1921, in Los Angeles, California. He enlisted in the United States Navy on July 30, 1942. Entering the Aviation Cadet Program, he was designated a Naval aviator and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on March 1, 1943. Baird was assigned to Marine Night Fighter Squadron 532 (VMF(N)-532) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina in June 1943. He was with that squadron when it deployed to the Pacific Theater in February 1944. Baird returned to the United States that November. Battle of Okinawa Baird deployed to the Pacific for a second tour, joining Marine Night Fighter Squadron 533 (VMF(N)-533). On May 7, 1945, the squadron flew its 15 F6F Hellcats over 1,000 miles from Saipan to Okinawa, the longest flight over water by a single-engine aircraft squadron during World War II. Arriving at Okinawa, Baird and the rest of his squadron landed at Yontan Field. The squadron operated off of Ie Shima.