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Dozens of aviators were credited as flying aces in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The number of total flying aces, who are credited with downing five or more enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat, is disputed in the war. The Korean War saw the first widespread use of jet engine-powered fighter aircraft for both sides of a war.
Joseph Christopher McConnell Jr. (30 January 1922 – 25 August 1954) was a United States Air Force fighter pilot who was the top American flying ace during the Korean War. [1] A native of Dover, New Hampshire , Captain McConnell was credited with shooting down 16 MiG-15s while flying North American F-86 Sabres .
However, many pilots whose ace status in question or is disputed are widely referred to as aces in the media, and as such are put in this category. For more information, read about overestimation of aerial victories in the Korean War.
The top UN ace of the war, Captain Joseph C. McConnell, claimed 16 MiGs, including three in one day. His story featured in a film called The McConnell Story, starring Alan Ladd and June Allyson. [43] The second-highest-scoring UN ace, Major James Jabara, was the first UN jet-vs.-jet ace.
Jabara used this aircraft to shoot down multiple Soviet-built MiG-15 jets during the Korean War. He achieved his first confirmed air victory of the war on 3 April 1951. A month later he was credited with his fifth and sixth victories, making him the first American jet ace in history.
Manuel John "Pete" Fernandez, Jr. (19 April 1925 – 18 October 1980) was the third-leading American and United States Air Force ace in the Korean War. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in Korea on March 21, 1953.
Korean War: 1941–1975 13 F-86 Sabre : Was the ace of aces for jet-vs-jet combat. Succeeded Davis on his death. [26] [better source needed] [27] [better source needed] Joseph C. McConnell United States: Korean War: 1940–1954 15+ F-86 Sabre : Was the ace of aces for jet-vs-jet combat. [28] [better source needed] Muhammad Mahmood Alam: Pakistan
He later became one of 41 Korean War aces from the United States, with 14 confirmed victories during that war. At the time of his death, he was the top-scoring ace from the US, making him the ace of aces. By the end of the war, he was the fourth-highest-scoring ace. [7] During the Korean War, Davis's accomplishments were particularly noteworthy.