Capt. Paul C. Roberts
Eureka, CaliforniaEnlisted: 17 April, 1942 - Los Angeles, California
Assigned to Squadron: 28 April, 1943
Promoted to Capt.: 25 September, 1943
Squadron Flight Surgeon: 28 April, 1943 - 3 September, 1945
Group Flight Surgeon (20th. Fighter Group): 5 September, 1945 -11 October, 1945
When the 20th Fighter Group arrived at King's Cliffe the Medical Department were faced with the monumental task of having to create and equip the necessary facilities to work from on a widely dispersed and underdeveloped base which only a quarter of the buildings had running water. In time a base dispensary was created from what had been a mess hall. It was comprised of a 16 bed ward for enlisted men and a 10 bed ward for officers as well as a properly equipped operating room, sick-call room, supply and linen rooms, latrines, showers and offices for the administrators.
Each squadron also established their own "aid room", which were clean and well-equipped dispensaries in their own right. It was from these that the squadron flight surgeons set up shop.
Capt. Paul Roberts had been with the 79th Fighter Squadron for over a year when the 20th Fighter Group were deployed to England. Tending to the men of the squadron much in the way a doctor back home might treat his patients, Roberts saw to the mental and physical needs of the squadron, and later the entire 20th Fighter Group, during their time overseas. Stationed just off the runway during every formation take-off he and his staff were prepared for any emergencies that might arise and from his office he helped instruct the pilots on the proper attire to help combat the frigid conditions encountered at high altitudes. In addition Roberts helped educate them how to combat aerosinusitis and aerotitis by keeping their nasal passages shrunk, allowing the free passage of air in and out of the sinuses and ears, through the use of nasal sprays.
Roberts was active in the 20th Fighter Group Association during it's early years. He died in 1990.
