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WARNER ROBINS, Ga. - Retired Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott, who packed more adventure in his life than any 10 people, according to his closest friends, died early Monday at a Warner Robins nursing home. He was 97.
Scott rose to nationwide prominence during World War II, first as a fighter ace in the China-Burma-India theater then as author of "God is My Co-Pilot," an account of his wartime exploits. The book was later made into a 1945 movie.
Scott - who retired from the Air Force as a brigadier general - never lost his "fighter ace" prominence and later used that fame to great effect in supporting Middle Georgia's Museum of Aviation.
"He's been our resident hero, cheerleader and biggest fan," said Pat Bartness, museum foundation president and chief operating officer. "He's been the biggest drawing card we've had. Without him, the museum would just be a different place and not as exciting. He will be sorely missed."
When Scott joined the museum staff in the mid-1980s, he had accomplished more than most people dream of, museum director Paul Hibbits said.
Born on April 12, 1908, Scott graduated from Macon's Lanier High School. The summer between his junior and senior years, he took a job as deck boy aboard a Black Diamond Line freighter and sailed halfway around the world, beginning of a lifetime of adventure.
But even before then, he exhibited his desire to fly. At age 12, he flew a home-built glider off the roof of a three-story house and crashed landed in a flower bed.
As Scott told the story: "Gliders were built out of spruce, but I didn't have enough money, so I made mine out of knotty pine. I cleared the first magnolia, but then the main wing strut broke and I came down in Mrs. Napier's rose bushes. It's the only plane I ever crashed."
Scott graduated from West Point as an Army second lieutenant in 1932 and completed pilot training a year later at Kelly Field, Texas. Before the war, he commanded a pursuit squadron in Panama, then instructed other pilots at bases in Texas and California.
When the United States entered World War II in 1941, he was considered too old for combat. But in March of 1942, he volunteered for a secret mission, "lied" about being qualified to fly the B-17 bomber and met Gen. Claire Chennault, the legendary commander of the Flying Tigers.
Chennault was leading a group of volunteer fighter pilots battling the Japanese over the skies of China and Burma. When the unit was inducted into the U.S. Army in July of 1942, Scott was named commander of the newly formed 23rd Fighter Group. By October of 1943, he had flown 388 combat missions, shot down 13 enemy aircraft and had become one of the first U.S. air aces of the war.
He was recalled to the United States and became a frequent speaker at war bond rallies across the nation. During a speech in New York, he met Charles Scribner, and the publisher encouraged Scott to write a book.
Warner Brothers later purchased the movie rights and "God Is My Co-Pilot" became a national sensation. The book was a best-seller.
The fighter ace later returned to the war, eventually downing a total of 22 enemy aircraft and hitting 10 supply trains before the conflict ended.
Following the war, Scott campaigned for separate service status for the Air Corps - a move that occurred in 1947 - and continued to lead fighter units in the United States and overseas. He commanded the nation's first jet fighter school at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., before his promotion to general officer and becoming the Director of Information for the Air Force.
He retired from the military in 1957 with 36 years in uniform.
But in Scott's case, retirement was nothing more than a transition. He continued speaking and writing, authoring at least 11 more books related to his Air Force experience.
At age 72, he walked The Great Wall of China, traveling almost 2,000 miles from Tibet to the Yellow Sea toting a knapsack filled with homemade oatmeal cookies.
In his 80s, he flew in modern F-16 and F-15 fighters and the B-1 bomber.
In 1996, at the age of 88, he ran with the Olympic Torch through Warner Robins.
Bartness dismissed "the lie" Scott told about being qualified to fly the B-17. "He was so goal oriented, he would have done anything to get into World War II," Bartness said. "When you put it into perspective, what he wanted to do was defend his country. He never lost sight of his goal, which was to make a difference in the war."
Hibbits says Scott's loss will be deeply felt.
"His vitality until just recently was extraordinary," he said. "When he walked in the room, eyes would light up - for the kids, to be sure, but also for a lot of grown-ups. The experiences he's had. The things he tells you. He's lived two lifetimes. People just enjoyed being around him. We'll miss him to be sure."
Scott leaves a daughter, Robin Fraser, who lives in Bakersfield, Calif.; a grandson; three granddaughters; and several great-grandchildren.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
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(c) 2006, The Macon Telegraph (Macon, Ga.). Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service.
