[Robert D. Welden oral history interview (Part 1 of 3)]

In this three-part oral history, fighter ace Robert D. Welden discusses his military service with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. In part one, he describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot and his time with the 356th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, in Europe. Topics discussed include service details about the 354th Fighter Group, stories about fellow servicemen, mission logistics, and capabilities of the North American P-51 Mustang.

Robert D. Welden was born on November 20, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois. He joined the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1942 and completed flight training the following year. Deployed to England, Welden served with the 356th Fighter Squadron of the 354th Fighter Group, flying bomber escort missions over Germany and other areas of the European Theater. He was among the first to fly the North American P-51B Mustang in combat. After the end of World War II, Welden remained in the military and went on to command the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group. He later served at Air Defense Command Headquarters in Colorado. Welden retired as lieutenant colonel in 1963 and passed away in 1990.