Robert B. Doremus

Rob Doremus was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy on August 9, 1955, and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in November 1956. His first assignment was as Squadron Combat Information Officer in AEW aboard WV aircraft with VW-14 at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, where he identified the first contact on the Pacific RADAR barrier as the squadron went operational in 1957 (a friendly commercial airliner). He left active duty on September 24, 1958, and was recalled to active duty on October 1, 1961, serving as an Aircrew Training Officer with VS-837 until August 1962. Lieutenant Doremus next attended Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) Training at NATC Glynco, Georgia, followed by F-4B Phantom II Replacement Air Group training with VF-121 at NAS Miramar, California. His next assignment was as an F-4 RIO with VF-21 at NAS Miramar until he deployed with the squadron to Southeast Asia aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41) in March 1965. Lieutenant Commander Doremus flew combat missions from April 1965 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on August 24, 1965. During this time he was credited with the destruction of 1 enemy aircraft in aerial combat.