Brigadier General Robert L. Cardenas

1920 - 2022

Robert Cardenas was born in Merida, Mexico and came to San Diego in 1925. He attended San Diego High School and San Diego State University before enlisting in the California National Guard. Earned his wings as an aviation cadet and in 1941 he was commissioned in the US Army Air Corps.

In 1944 on his 20th B-24 mission, Captain Cardenas sustained head injuries and bailed out of his crippled bomber over Germany. He evaded capture and was interned in Switzerland and later escaped with the help of the French resistance to return to United States via Paris and England.

After his return, Cardenas participated in flight test of the German jet fighter ME-262 and the Arada 234 jet bomber. In 1947 he led the team of Air Force test pilots in the quest for Mach One. He flew the B-29 mother ship that launched Chuck Yeager in the Bell X-1 on the historic supersonic flight.

Cardenas was the lead Air Force test pilot for Northrup YB-49 revolutionary flying wing bomber that took the life of Captain Glen Edwards in a tragic crash in 1948. Cardenas completed the testing with a transcontinental flight to Washington DC that included a flight over the Capital at the request of President Truman.

During the Korean War, Cardenas tested jet fighters and bombers. During Vietnam, he was the F-105 Wing Commander in Okinawa where he flew combat missions over North Vietnam. In 1968, he commanded the Air Force Special Operations Forces and later inducted into the Air Commando Hall of Fame.

He went on to leadership roles in Europe where he negotiated the withdrawal of US forces from Libya with Muammar Gadhafi and was responsible for maintaining open corridors across the Iron Curtain to Berlin. Prior to his retirement in 1973, he was responsible for the development of targets for the US nuclear War Plan (SIOP) at Strategic Air Command.

After military service Robert held public service appointments including Chairman of the Board for the California Veterans Affairs and the San Diego Veterans Council. He later was appointed to the Veterans Affairs Memorials and Cemetery Committee in Washington which helped in his key role in the eight-year journey to open Miramar National Cemetery.

Cardenas was recognized with military awards including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, and Spanish Grand Legion of Aeronautical Merit with Sash & Dagger. He was named “Veteran of the Year” in San Diego and was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor in Lancaster, CA, the International Air & Space Hall of Fame in San Diego, Sigma Chi Hall of Fame, and the National Aerospace Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio.

Robert lived in San Diego for the last 49 years of his life with his wife of 74 years, Gladys Gisewite of Brookville, Ohio. His seven children, Diana, Richard, Robin, Debra, Michael, Mark and Maria and 17 grandchildren were the light of his life. He will be remembered for his humble nature, ability to draw you into a story, his openness about his love for family, and his passion for his country, community, and service.

If you would like to send flowers to, Brig. Gen. Cardenas' service at Miramar National Cemetery please call and coordinate with, Wild Orchid Florist at 619-593-9222.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation in, Brigadier General Robert Cardenas name. Link to their website is below, thank you.

https://miramarcemetery.org/