Obituary of Robert A. Shawn

A life that spanned a century concluded on Sunday, May 24th, when Robert A. Shawn passed away peacefully at home.  Known to many as “Colonel Bob,” he was born on May 6^th, 1920 in Bronx, NY.  Bob joined the National Guard 258^th Field Artillery on March 9^th, 1940.  In December of 1942, Shawn applied for pilot training with the US Army Air Corps.  He was selected for the exchange program with the British Royal Air Force.  After receiving his RAF wings, he reported back to the USAAF, where he completed his training and was awarded his silver wings.  Shawn reported for combat training in the P-38 Lightning.  He was made an instructor for the P-38 until he could get an assignment to a fighter group.  After his brother Gil, a B-24 pilot serving overseas was shot down, Bob worked to be deployed to Europe.Upon receiving his orders, Shawn departed for England.  He was assigned to the 9^th Air Force, flying P-47 Thunderbolts.  After 5 months, the group re-trained, flying the famous P-51 Mustang until the end of WWII in Europe.  Despite his having flown a wide variety of aircraft during his career, Bob was best known for his time in the Mustang.  Among his many exploits, some of his most notable included:

• He flew his Mustang under the Eiffel Tower when Paris was liberated in 1944,
• He was mistakenly shot down by the Free French forces in 1944 while shooting up a German Me-109 fighter in supporting his boss Gen. George Patton's forces,
• He helped break the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge, "liberated" 500 bottles of Dom Perignon Champaign held by the Germans,
• He broke the B-25 transcontinental American speed record,
• Amongst other WWII accomplishments, he later hosted film stars Sophia Loren, Anita Ekberg, and Gina Lollabrigida while commanding the U.S. forces in Rome, Italy in the 50's and while playing himself in the Classic Italian fighter pilot film "Un po' di cielo" (A Little Bit of Sky), was pals with music legends like his friend Duke Ellingtonand flew top secret missions in the Cold War.

Following WWII, Shawn stayed in the United States Air Force and flew in the Korean, Vietnam and Cold Wars attaining the rank of Colonel.  Over his expansive career, Shawn flew over 328 combat missions.

After earning engineering credits at the University of Alabama and Georgia Tech, Bob continued his education while serving in Rome and Paris, and subsequently received a BS in Military Science from the University of Maryland.

After returning to the US with his first wife, Emily, Bob continued his education at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration before managing country clubs.

In addition to his expansive military career, Bob was also active in VFW Post 1177, the Wayne M. Kidwell American Legion Post 184, the Military Vehicle Collectors Association, the Capital Wing of the Airman’s Preservation Society,where he was a treasured member of the historical reenactment community, as well as being a long time volunteer for the Herndon Police Department.

Recently, for Bob’s 100^th birthday on May 6^th, over 120 vehicles containing friends and supporters were escorted past his house by the Herndon and Fairfax County Police, Fire and EMS

Bob was predeceased by his parents, his wife of 58 years, Emily, and his two brothers, Gil and Jay.

He is survived by his beloved second wife of 10 years, Julia Shawn (Herndon), his son, William and wife Glenna (Washington DC), daughters Tracy (NJ) and Victoria Walker and husband Robert (Rixeyville) as well as grandchildren Hamilton, Kristen, Mason, Reagan, Laurel, Brandon & Grace and 6 great grandchildren.

A service at Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel followed by interment with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery will be held in Decemeber. Because of restrictions on the size of groups that can gather due to COVID-19, attendance will be by invitation.