Robert D. Hodge
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Robert D. Hodge served during World War II in the South Pacific in the U.S. Army Air Forces.
He was commissioned a pilot and first officer in the Air Transport Command, Pacific Theater. He flew two- and four-engine DC-3's and DC-4's, hauling combat wounded to advance hospitals. He transported personnel at Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Morobe, Wewok, Marati, Leyte, Manila, Luzon, etc., beginning in October, 1944.
He also flew cargo and troops from island to island in the South Pacific in a twin-engine C-47. He was discharged in May 1946.
On one occasion, Mr. Hodge was transporting a planeload of musicians, singers and comedians for a USO show to be held on the island of Biak, the Philippines, after it had been retaken by the Americans. It was nighttime. The radio controller on Biak broke radio silence, which was not usually done in a combat zone. He ordered Mr. Hodge to descend to an altitude of 2,000 feet and then, when ordered, to bank sharply to the left.
Mr. Hodge was surprised but brought the plane to the lower altitude. Then, looking out his starboard window, he was surprised to see the telltale flame of airplane exhaust. Squinting, he made out the shape of a Japanese fighter-bomber flying close to his right wingtip in the darkness.
He suddenly understood the situation, but had no idea what would happen. He maintained radio silence as he approached the darkened airfield. When he reached Biak at an altitude of 2,000 feet, the lights on the runway flashed on and the radio operator said, “Now!”
Mr. Hodge banked sharply to the left, making a 90-degree turn. Simultaneously, searchlights on the island illuminated the Japanese bomber, which was then hit by lethal anti-aircraft fire at the exact range of 2,000 feet. The enemy plane blew up, and Hodge landed his plane safely. The USO show was performed as planned.
Mr. Hodge was born in 1921 in Chisholm Minnesota, the son of Fred and Ann Hodge. He graduated from high school in 1939.
After the war, Mr. Hodge worked for 37 years as a Minnesota conservation officer, using a pontoon plane in the summer and a ski-plane in winter.
Source: Veterans' Memorial Hall veteran history form
