Robert M. Hanson (1919 – June 6, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps fighter pilot and flying ace during World War II. He is credited with 25 aerial victories, making him one of the leading Marine aces of the Pacific theater. Hanson received multiple decorations, including the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal.
Early life and education
Robert Michael Hanson was born in 1919 in San Pedro, California. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he participated in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.
Military career
Hanson entered flight training in 1941 and earned his pilot wings in early 1942. He was assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF‑215), which operated the Grumman F4F Wildcat and later the Vought F4U Corsair from forward airfields in the Pacific.
During the Solomon Islands campaign, Hanson scored his first aerial victory on 13 September 1943, shooting down a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero. Over the course of the next year, he amassed a total of 25 confirmed kills, primarily against Japanese fighter aircraft. His aggressive tactics and leadership contributed significantly to the squadron’s combat effectiveness.
Awards and decorations
For his actions in combat, Hanson received:
- Navy Cross – for extraordinary heroism in aerial combat between November 1943 and February 1944.
- Distinguished Flying Cross – for multiple missions displaying conspicuous gallantry.
- Air Medal (with several Oak Leaf Clusters) – for sustained operational flight missions.
Death
On 6 June 1945, while leading a low‑level strafing mission over the island of Luzon in the Philippines, Hanson’s aircraft was hit by anti‑aircraft fire. The aircraft crashed, resulting in his death. He was posthumously promoted to captain.
Legacy
Robert M. Hanson is remembered as one of the most successful Marine aviators of World War II. His combat record is documented in official Marine Corps aviation histories and in the United States Marine Corps’ list of World War II flying aces. Several publications on the Pacific air war reference his contributions, and his name appears on memorials dedicated to fallen Marine aviators.