Richard L. Bertelson was born in Minneapolis Minnesota on March 14, 1923. He entered the Navy Flight Training program in 1942. During 1944 and 1945 he flew a total of 88 combat missions with VF-29, flying Hellcats off the deck of the USS Cabot. His big day came on April 13, 1945 when VF-29 took part in a fighter sweep to Tokuno and Wan airfields north of Okinawa. As the Hellcats were attacking the airfields, they came under attack from some 25 Zekes and Tojos that came diving out of the sun. The pilots of VF-29 managed to down 10 of the enemy fighters, Bertelson getting 3 personally.

Tally: 5 kills
Awards: 2 distinguished Flying Crosses
5 air medals