Robert Franklin Worley – Major General, United States Air Force

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Robert Franklin Worley was born on October 10, 1919. He became a member of the Air Force while in Riverside, California and attained the rank of Major General.

On July 23, 1968 at the age of 48, Robert Franklin Worley gave his life in the service of our country in South Vietnam, Thua Thien Province.

Major General Robert Franklin Worley was killed on July 23, 1968 while flying in his RF  4C PHANTOM when it crashed after being hit by enemy groundfire approximately 65 miles northwest of Da Nang Air Base.

Courtesy of the United States Air Force

General Worley was born October 10, 1919, in Riverside, California. He began his military career in October 1940 at March Field, California.

The general graduated from pilot training at Brooks Field, Texas, in May 1941, and was commissioned a second lieutenant.

During the next two years he served at Mitchell Field, New York; Bolling Field, Washington, D.C.; and, Baltimore Municipal Airport as a fighter pilot and a squadron commander.

During World War II, he participated in the North Africa, Sicily and Italy campaigns
and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater campaigns.

His combat record included 120 aerial missions with 215 combat hours in the P- 40 and P- 47 aircraft.

The general was shot down on his first mission while flying close air support for ground troops in the African desert. He walked back through the enemy lines and returned to his unit.

Following World War II  he helped organize and commanded the  jet transitional school at Williams Field, Arizona.

Before assignment to Tactical Air Command headquarters on December 30, 1964, as assistant deputy for operations, command and control,General Worley commanded the
831st Air Division at George Air Force Base, California.

He went to George Air Force Base from Twelfth Air Force Headquarters in Waco, Texas, where he served as deputy for operations.

He had also served as Director of Operations for the United States Air Forces in Europe, with headquarters in Germany.

He was a graduate of the Air Command and Staff School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces,  Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.

The general was rated a command pilot and parachutist.

Among his numerous military decorations he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, te Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.

MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT F. WORLEY

Killed July 23, 1968 when RF-4C Phantom aircraft crashed after being hit by groundfire approximately 65 miles northwest of Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam.

Major General Robert Franklin Worley was vice commander, Seventh Air Force, Pacific Air Forces.

General Worley was born in 1919, in Riverside, Calif. He began his military career in October 1940 at March Field, Calif. The general graduated from pilot training at Brooks Field, Texas, in May 1941, and was commissioned a second lieutenant. During the next two years he served at Mitchel Field, N.Y.; Bolling Field, Washington, D.C.; and Baltimore Municipal Airport as a fighter pilot and as a squadron commander.

During World War II, he participated in the North African, Sicily and Italian campaigns and the Asiatic-Pacific theater campaigns. General Worley’s combat record included 120 aerial missions with 215 combat hours in the P-40 and P-47 aircraft.

The General was shot down on his first mission while flying close air support for ground troops in the African desert. He walked back through the enemy lines and returned to his unit.

Following World War II he helped organize and commanded the jet transitional school at Williams Field, Arizona.

Before assignment to TAC headquarters Dec. 30, 1964, as assistant deputy for operations, command and control, General Worley commanded the 831st Air Division at George Air Force Base, Calif. He went to George Air Force Base from Twelfth Air Force headquarters in Waco, Texas, where he served as deputy for operations.

He has also served as Director of Operations for U.S. Air Forces in Europe, with headquarters in Germany.

A graduate of the Air Command and Staff School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., the general is rated a command pilot and parachutist.

His decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart.

General Worley was buried with full military honors in Section 30, Grave 370, Arlington National Cemetery.

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