Honoring Robert Dittmer, Travis AFB Legacy Published March 4, 2024 By Randall Couch 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The life of Robert Warren Dittmer was intertwined with the history of Travis Air Force Base in many ways. Born in Oakland, California, on Nov. 11, 1920, he grew up on the family ranch founded by his great-grandmother in 1857 near Cordelia, California. Robert Dittmer, left, then 102 years old, left, and his son, Jeff Dittmer, stand by a 1944 Seagrave fire engine during a visit to Travis Air Force Base, California, Dec. 6, 2022. Robert Dittmer served as a firefighter during the August 1950 crash of a B-29 Superfortress at what was then Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base. Brig. Gen. Robert Travis, commander of the 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and the 9th Bombardment Wing, was on board and did not survive. Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base was officially renamed Travis Air Force Base on October 20th, 1950 in honor of the base's fallen commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res He joined the Army Air Corps on Dec. 8, 1942, at age 22. While awaiting his air cadet training at what was then called Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base (now known as Travis Air Force Base), he worked for a contractor weighing inbound truckloads of rock and gravel being used to build the first paved runway there. Dittmer would later watch the first aircraft land on that newly paved runway. Dittmer’s grandson-in-law, U.S. Air Force Maj. Robert Carpenter, 47th Fighter Squadron, instructor pilot, said he hoped Team Travis could find the time to honor this local Airman who quite literally provided the foundations for Travis AFB. “Perhaps in doing so, some of our youngest Airmen can learn a bit about their heritage and appreciate the sacrifices of those who came before us,” he said. Jeff Dittmer, son of Robert Dittmer, delivers the eulogy at his father’s funeral at the Rockville Stone Chapel, Fairfield, California, 15 February, 2024. Robert Dittmer served as a firefighter during the August 1950 crash of a B-29 Superfortress at what was then Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base. Brig. Gen. Robert Travis, commander of the 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and the 9th Bombardment Wing, was on board and did not survive. Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base was officially renamed Travis Air Force Base on October 20th, 1950 in honor of the base's fallen commander. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Randy Couch) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Dittmer completed his air cadet training as a B-17 Flying Fortress bombardier before he was assigned to the 398th Bomb Group at Nuthampstead, United Kingdom. During World War II, he successfully completed 35 combat missions over Germany, for which he received an Air Medal and was honorably discharged as a 2nd Lt. on June 9, 1944. After returning home from the war, Dittmer applied for a job as a firefighter at Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base and became the assistant fire chief. He was on the initial fire crew that responded to the Aug. 5, 1950, crash of the B-29 Superfortress that killed the current base’s namesake, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert F. Travis, and his crew. Jeff Dittmer, son of Robert Dittmer, receives the United States flag that covered the casket during his father’s funeral at the Rockville Stone Chapel, Fairfield, California, 15 February, 2024. Robert Dittmer served as a firefighter during the August 1950 crash of a B-29 Superfortress at what was then Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base. Brig. Gen. Robert Travis, commander of the 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and the 9th Bombardment Wing, was on board and did not survive. Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base was officially renamed Travis Air Force Base on October 20th, 1950 in honor of the base's fallen commander. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Randy Couch) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Upon reaching the crash site, while he and five other firefighters tried to cut a hole in the aircraft fuselage to extract potential survivors, an explosion injured Dittmer and killed the remaining five firefighters. “He was severely burned while rescuing Airmen, spending six months in the hospital for skin grafts and surgeries,” Carpenter said. “He carried those scars on his hands and forearms for the remainder of his life.” In 1954, he was recognized for entering the burning wreckage of a C-124 Globemaster II and with the help of another man, pulling two of the four surviving crew members to safety. After the death of his father in 1957, Dittmer resigned from the fire department to pursue his business interests and run the family cattle ranch for the remainder of his life. Dittmer is survived by his children, Jeff and Suzanne. Former Travis Air Force Base fire Chief John Speakman lays a white glove on the casket of former Travis AFB assistant fire Chief Robert Dittmer at the latter’s funeral at the Rockville Stone Chapel, Fairfield, California , 15 February, 2024. Robert Dittmer served as a firefighter during the August 1950 crash of a B-29 Superfortress at what was then Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base. Brig. Gen. Robert Travis, commander of the 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and the 9th Bombardment Wing, was on board and did not survive. Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base was officially renamed Travis Air Force Base on October 20th, 1950 in honor of the base's fallen commander. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Randy Couch) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “Like many of his generation, he wasn’t the kind of dad to put his arm around you and tell you everything is going to be all right,” said Jeff. “He was more likely to tell you to go out there and get it done...and get it done right!” He added “With dad it was always ‘It’s my way or the highway!’”. Robert Dittmer displayed selflessness and sacrifice for the safety of other Airmen and will be remembered for his bravery. He passed away on Feb. 1, 2024, in Fairfield at the age of 103, leaving a legacy of service and courage at Travis Air Force Base.