Robert Clarence Schuh
Colonel
512th Reconnaissance Squadron (56th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron)
Training & Technology
Visions of modern sleek aircraft and glorious dogfights, though often far from reality, were still more than enough to attract some of the nation’s brightest to the Army Air Corps. At 19-years of age, Clarence Schuh from sunny California was captivated by these possibilities, opting to sign on to fly planes rather than serve in the regular army as his father had during the Great War. The Air Corps had him in a cockpit in no time as he trained with the 3rd Squadron, 317th College Training Detachment at the University of Montana (1). Lecture and flight lessons in “Big Sky Country” proved most exciting and yet strenuous at the same time as the aspiring airman honed in on his studies. By September of 1943, the brown-eyed volunteer had met the curriculum requirements and graduated as part of Flight Group M (1). As exciting as this was, the celebration was dampened by the loss of two fellow air cadets and two instructors in a fatal crash that same month (2). It was a stark reminder that their job was not without its dangers.
Following the end of the war, Robert made the decision to accept an honorable discharge in 1946. He had married the love of his life, Jospehine Lament, well stationed in Mojave, Arizona and was ready to begin a family back in Los Angeles. Yet it was hard for the airman to give up his passion for aviation and he was once again drawn to enlist in 1947 for a second time. Yet this time it was with the newest branch of the military, the United States Air Force, the Army Air Corps having been replaced. |
Now in his mid-twenties, the light complexioned officer was far more experienced and mature, gaining him a promotion to 1st Lieutenant and an assignment as the Assistant Squadron Maintenance Officer to a new outfit known as the 512th Reconnaissance Squadron. It was assembled in Fairfield, California in 1949 under the command of the well-respected Lieutenant Colonel Robert David (3). The inspiring Officer helped pull the unit into service shape, their mission being to monitor and report weather conditions for use by friendly forces. To perform this task the 512th was presented with specialized B-29 Superfortresses, which were redesignated the RB-29 (3). These modern shiny marvels had been stripped of the majority of their weapons and were outfitted with an assortment of weather instruments (3). The technology was highly specialized, requiring Lieutenant Schuh and his staff to spend a great amount of time familiarizing themselves with the devices and plane in order to understand their maintenance and repair needs.
Following hours of training, studying, and even a bit of baseball in which Lieutenant-Colonel David partook, the 512th was officially recognized as service ready and deployed to Japan (3). One by one the RB-29s made their way to Yokota Air Base near Tokyo, well Robert and the service crew arrived by ship and setup shop (3). In no time at all they were settled in to their new home and quickly grew accustomed to the unique urban sprawl of Japan (3). The disciplined Lieutenant Robert, was already busy developing maintenance plans in preparation for the upcoming "typhoon season" the squadron was slated to fly in (3). |
Korea's Weathermen
June 25th brought with it not an exciting weather event, but news that North Korea had invaded its neighbor to the south (3). The breakout of hostilities placed Yokota Air Base on high alert and the 512th, ready and willing, had an RB-29 in the air over Korea within 24 hours (3). From thereon it became the responsibility of the unit to fly missions into the heart of North Korea to provide crucial weather information to the rest of U.S. forces which were pouring in to aid the embattled South Koreans (3). The maintenance and repair needs of the squadron shifted rapidly, requiring Lieutenant Schuh to adapt his plans well ensuring minimal impact on operations. Planning for typhoon season had not accounted for hostile fire nor the required 24/7 preparedness of the planes which were being flown on a constant basis. Though keeping the RB-29s in flying condition was a challenge in itself, further complications were created when the 512th was ordered to transfer to Misawa Air Base in northern Japan (3). The task of ensuring a smooth transition was placed in the already overburdened Lieutenant's hands, but he proved effective and efficient at his job, ensuring not a single operation was delayed by the move.
Neither constant missions nor the weather conditions brought on by the advent of winter hindered the servicing of the aircraft under his exceptional planning. Such a feat of logistics helped the 512th (soon redesignated the 56th) achieve a remarkable milestone of a mission flown everyday over Korea continuously until June 9th of 1952 (3). In recognition of his contribution, Lieutenant Colonel David presented Robert with a personal commendation, an honor on behalf of an appreciative squadron. Their combined feats of delivering accurate weather data from over hostile territory unceasingly were of untold value to UN forces in Korea. |
A Final Act
Robert’s career in the Air Force would continue on well past Korea, with his eventual posting to Strategic Air Command Headquarters in Nebraska in 1961 as a Major. Such a position of honor was well earned and he diligently helped manage the overall defense of the nation, retiring a Colonel in 1973. Yet retirement did not see the end of his dedicated service to his fellow airmen. In 1994 the Smithsonian unveiled an exhibit regarding the atomic bombing of Japan and the subsequent end of the war (4). The exhibit painted American servicemen in an unkind light without regard for the realities of the time, which upset many veterans (4). Robert stepped up to personally speak on their behalf and perfectly articulated their concerns in well crafted letters, which ultimately led to revisions in the exhibit (4). For his contribution he was set to be recognized by members of congress, but tragically passed away prior to the session (4). His final act reflected kindly on his character and his legacy as an officer of the USAF.
Sources:
(1) Montana State University (Missoula, Mont.). Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, "Take Off, Squadron 3, September 1943" (1943). Take Off, 1943-1944. 7. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=takeoff
(2) Gilder, Don. “‘4 Killed in Missoula's 1st Fatal Plane Crash’ - 2 Planes Meet Head-On Over City - 1943.” Old Missoula, 1 Jan. 2020, oldmissoula.com/index.php?option=com_content.
(3) “512th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range) Weather.” Air Weather Reconnaissance Association, www.awra.us/PAWS-512.html.
(4) The Smithsonian Institution Management Guidelines for the Future: Hearings before the Committee on Rules and Administration, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourth Congress, First Session ... May 11 and 18, 1995. U.S. G.P.O., 1995. https://books.google.com/books?id=ZCjh4FDmVF8C&pg=PA2&lpg=PA2&dq=Colonel+%27Robert+Schuh%27&source=bl&ots=pR7du7Uvb_&sig=ACfU3U1d9SlmJeILJ9P56R2FkhAv1zBeUw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwieic_i0O7rAhUHnOAKHU8tCiEQ6AEwEnoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=Robert%20Schuh&f=false
(1) Montana State University (Missoula, Mont.). Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, "Take Off, Squadron 3, September 1943" (1943). Take Off, 1943-1944. 7. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=takeoff
(2) Gilder, Don. “‘4 Killed in Missoula's 1st Fatal Plane Crash’ - 2 Planes Meet Head-On Over City - 1943.” Old Missoula, 1 Jan. 2020, oldmissoula.com/index.php?option=com_content.
(3) “512th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range) Weather.” Air Weather Reconnaissance Association, www.awra.us/PAWS-512.html.
(4) The Smithsonian Institution Management Guidelines for the Future: Hearings before the Committee on Rules and Administration, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourth Congress, First Session ... May 11 and 18, 1995. U.S. G.P.O., 1995. https://books.google.com/books?id=ZCjh4FDmVF8C&pg=PA2&lpg=PA2&dq=Colonel+%27Robert+Schuh%27&source=bl&ots=pR7du7Uvb_&sig=ACfU3U1d9SlmJeILJ9P56R2FkhAv1zBeUw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwieic_i0O7rAhUHnOAKHU8tCiEQ6AEwEnoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=Robert%20Schuh&f=false