The Bandido
"Star Light, Star Bright, Which Direction Will I Fly Tonight" (Chapter 5 continued)
Fighter-bomber life was destroying supply dumps, buildings, railroad tunnels, convoys, and targets of opportunity. Pilots performed CAS (close air support) for ground troops and CAP (combat air patrol). Pilots did their own navigating and worked in conjunction with FAC (forward air control), who covered a territory. They knew it: who was in it, and what was ongoing, marking targets with white phosphorous. Sometimes pilots would be “grounded” in jeeps on frontlines directing.
Meanwhile, missions kept coming and numbers ticked off, but things could change. A pilot gets hit and everything goes south. He wouldn’t go home … ever. Chico was doing what he needed to do, and the Air Force wanted him to know. On October 18, he earned another Air Medal. This time, the 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, a reminder of another twenty missions completed:
First Lieutenant Roland X. Solis distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights over enemy-held territory as a pilot of F-84 aircraft, 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing, Fifth Air Force, from 26 June 1952 through 18 October 1952. His missions were often flown at maximum range of the aircraft and under extremely adverse weather conditions. In addition, he engaged in patrol, escort, and armed reconnaissance deep into enemy territory, during which hostile contact were probable and expected. Through his aggressiveness and courage, Lt. Solis has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Then mission 4903: interdiction; sortie 79; loads consisted of two 1000-pound bombs. Chico earned his second DFC.
On 21 November 1952, First Lieutenant Roland Xavier Solis exceptionally distinguished himself while leading a squadron of sixteen (16) F-84G type aircraft of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing, Fifth Air Force. Lieutenant Solis was briefed to destroy a building area near Soyudong, Korea. Although under intense enemy anti-aircraft fire and hampered by MiG’s, Lieutenant Solis expertly positioned his squadron so that every bomb fell in the target area. Although repeatedly attacked by enemy aircraft as they left the bomb run, Lieutenant Solis, with utter disregard for his own safety, displayed excellent judgment and courage in reforming his squadron, and although one aircraft was badly damaged, Lieutenant Solis led all of his planes safely back to their base. Through his skill, personal courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Solis brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Every pilot’s other goal was rank. But evaluation boards only met occasionally, and one’s lifeblood was the OER (officer effectiveness report). Although, pilots could be promoted “under the zone,” but rarely. In combat, aggressive, well-performing pilots earned spot promotions, but only held the rank while in a combat zone. On November 28, Chico received the following:
Lieutenant Solis is an ideal combat flight leader. He is determinedly aggressive, cool under pressure and fully conscious at all times of his responsibilities as flight leader. Added to this, his extensive experience in and thorough knowledge of the F-84 type aircraft enable him to instruct and train the pilots under his supervision in a superior manner. He is intensely interested in an Air Force career and exhibits vigorous enthusiasm in his profession. His advice on matters pertaining to flying has been sought and followed on at least one occasion by the Group Commander.
Now Captain and flight commander, he had the chance of working with any manner of pilot. The responsibility of returning four back home had to be unnerving. Especially if one felt he wasn’t going to survive? Before his first mission, he’d written himself off. Chico recalled: “This one pilot was assigned to my flight. While we were putting him in his G suit and showing the survival gear, he said, ‘Guys, don’t worry about me, I’m not going to make it.’ I put him on my wing. He wasn’t a good pilot, but we talked and yelled at him. I got him home every time he was doing something wrong, but I finished my missions before he did. I was in Japan when they told me he’d been killed. A round or something went through his aileron. It was a humid day, and it was leaving a contrail. He went into the side of a hill yelling he was on fire.”
There were also pilots who rotated in for a month to get combat time. They would not fly the magic “100” but the: “I need a few missions, so my record shows I have combat and I’ve flown it:”
“They also sent pilots so they could say they’d been in combat. They’d be over there for six weeks or a month, and they’d fly missions. I had one guy who flew with us, a lieutenant colonel. In fact, one day, we went in, and it was pretty hot with anti-aircraft fire. He wasn’t catching up; I kept telling him to catch up. I’d even call him by name instead of the call sign. He had his bombs hanging on, and I told him to get rid of them, so he did.
One night, another pilot wanted to fly one of the night missions. He came in after me. We carried two bombs; that’s all we did. When we landed, the crew chief said, “Colonel, why didn’t you drop your bombs?” He hadn’t dropped his. Guys would come over for just a very short period and then go back home, just so they could say they had been in combat. They’d have combat on their records, but they were in the way more than anything else.” - Roland X. Solis
Korea was a mixed bag. New generals ranked up or future would-be’s improved records, not putting themselves in the environment any longer than required. Pilots referred to them as “FEAF weenies,” “Headquarter weenies,” or just plain “weenie.” Then there were the guys who loved what they did—fighter pilots who landed in Korea and while flying combat, the idea was just survive. The second Oak Leaf Cluster for the Air Medal was in the books:
Captain Roland X. Solis distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights over enemy-held territory as a pilot of F-84 aircraft, 49th Bomber Wing, Fifth Air Force, from 18 October 1952 through 20 December 1952, during which hostile contact was probable and expected. Such flights included dangerous low-level attack against ground installations and armored equipment, long-range patrol, escort and reconnaissance far into enemy territory. During these flights, Captain Solis was subjected to flak and small arms fire. Through his ability, skill, and initiative, Captain Solis has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.