DATE: Monday, September 1, 1997             TAG: 9709010028

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   62 lines

ROGER W. MEHLE

Retired Rear Adm. Roger W. Mehle, 81, of the 2200 block of Leeward Shore Drive died Aug. 30, 1997, at his home.

Born Oct. 16, 1915, in Cincinnati, he was a 1933 graduate of Cincinnati's Walnut High School. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1933 and commissioned as an ensign in June of 1937. After serving on the battleship New Mexico, he reported to Naval flight training at Pensacola, Fla., in July of 1939. In the fall of 1940 he reported to Fighting Squadron Six flying F-3F's aboard the USS Enterprise (CV 6).

During post-Pearl Harbor days, he flew the F-4F Wildcat in fierce action over the Marshall and Gilbert Islands and was fleeted up to executive officer of Fighting Six. He received his first Distinguished Flying Cross from Admiral ``Bull'' Halsey for his part in those campaigns. At the Battle of Midway he shot down his fifth enemy aircraft becoming one of the Navy's first World War II ``aces.''

In the Spring of 1944 he reported for a second combat tour in the Pacific as commander, Air Group 28, and commanding officer Fighting Squadron 28 flying F-6F Hellcats on board the carrier USS Monterey (CVL 26). He participated in wide ranging combat operations, both air-to-air and air-to-ground over Tinian, the Marianas, Nampo Shotos, the Philippine Sea, Wake, the Carolines, the Philippines, Nansei Shotos and Formosa. He was awarded the Silver Star and a second Distinguished Flying Cross after these actions.

In early 1945 he was appointed project officer of the Fighter Design Branch of the Bureau of Aeronautics and participated in the development and introduction of jet fighter aircraft of various configurations into Naval Aviation. By 1955 he was promoted to captain and in 1957 commanded the USS Cape Esperance (TCVU 88) in the Pacific. In 1960 he assumed command of the attack carrier USS Saratoga (CVA 60) cruising the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Promoted to rear admiral in 1964, he commanded Carrier Divisions One and Five in the Pacific in 1967 and served as commander, Attack Carrier Striking Force (CTF-77) conducting strike operations against military targets in North and South Vietnam.

In 1968, Rear Adm. Mehle was assigned as commander, Fleet Air Norfolk and subsequently commanded the U.S. Naval Safety Center until his retirement from active duty in 1970 culminating over 37 years of outstanding service to our nation.

His personal combat record earned him the designation as ``double ace'' with 13 1/2 air victories, two additional probable victories, 24 aircraft destroyed on the ground and thousands of tons of enemy shipping sunk during World War II combat air operations.

His military decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two stars, Distinguished Flying Cross with two stars and the Air Medal with one star. His actions also resulted in numerous presidential citations and foreign decorations.

Rear Adm. Mehle is survived by his loving wife for more than 41 years, Patricia; sons, Lance Renard Mehle of Kapolei, Hawaii, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Ramsey Mehle II, U.S. Army, of Bellevue, Neb., and Roger William Mehle Jr. of Washington, D.C.; daughter, Young Eve Paciello of Malverne, N.Y. and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in H.D. Oliver Funeral Home Apts., Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, by Capt. Richard R. Gates, CHCUSN. The family will receive friends at their home directly following the service. ILLUSTRATION: Photo KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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