[Robert D. Welden oral history interview (Part 2 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 two, he continues to elaborate on his wartime experiences in Europe with the 356th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group. Topics discussed include his training background, a comparison of aircraft armament, and his thoughts on German pilots.

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.