[Jay T. Robbins oral history interview]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_144Parts2002-02-13-1139_AV_144_01SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeRobbins, Jay T., 1919-2001InterviewerValencia, Eugene A.|Florea, John|unidentified interviewerDescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace Jay T. Robbins, conducted by interviewers John Florea, Eugene A. Valencia, and an unidentified man, circa 1960s.

Text on label: "038. #1. Gen. J. T. Robbins. San Ber'do. Norton AFB."AbstractFighter ace Jay T. Robbins is interviewed about his military service with the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in the Pacific Theater with the 80th Fighter Squadron. Topics discussed include his personal background, his service and training history, notable combat missions in Papua New Guinea, and the courtship between him and his wife Ina, who served in the Pacific with the Army Nurse Corps.

The interview is conducted by John Florea, a former war correspondent for Life Magazine; by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia; and by an unidentified man.BiographyJay T. Robbins was born on September 16, 1919 in Coolidge, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M with a reserve commission through ROTC and entered active duty with the Infantry in 1941. Soon after, he applied for flight training with the Army Air Corps, receiving his pilot’s wings in 1942. Deployed to the Southwest Pacific Theater, Robbins served with the 80th Fighter Squadron, known as the Headhunters. In 1944, he was appointed squadron commander and later became deputy group commander of the 8th Fighter Group. During his combat tour, he met Ina Louise Priest, an Army nurse stationed in Australia, and the two were wed while serving overseas together. Robbins remained in the military after the war and went on to serve in a number of command and staff positions, including with Tactical Air Command, the Twelfth Air Force, and Military Airlift Command. He retired as a lieutenant general in 1974 and passed away in 2001.Creation Datecirca 1960sSubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryBell P-39 Airacobra FamilyFighter pilotsLockheed P-38 Lightning FamilyNursesRobbins, InaRobbins, Jay T., 1919-2001United States. Army Air ForcesUnited States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Squadron, 80thUnited States. Army Nurse CorpsUnited States. Army. Air CorpsWorld War, 1939-1945PlaceAustraliaPapua New GuineaPhilippinesExtent1 sound reel (2 hr., 2 min., 31 sec.) : analog ; 1/4 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)open reel audiotapesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyright

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[Jay T. Robbins oral history interview]