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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.
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.
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.
George Andrew Davis Jr. (December 1, 1920 – February 10, 1952) was a highly decorated fighter pilot and flying ace of the United States Army Air Forces in World War II, and later of the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
Henry "Hank" Buttelmann (June 26, 1929 – September 16, 2019) was a fighter pilot of the United States Air Force in the Korean War and Vietnam War. He achieved seven victories over enemy aircraft in Korea, making him a flying ace. He gained his fifth kill on June 30, 1953, just after his 24th birthday, which made him the youngest ace of the war.
He was the longest lived American fighter ace of the Korean War. [3] After the death of Wang Hai in August 2020, he was the last living flying ace from the Korean war. He was the recipient of the Silver Star, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. [4]
Frederick Corbin "Boots" Blesse (August 22, 1921 – October 31, 2012) was a United States Air Force major general and flying ace. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1945. He flew two combat tours during the Korean War, completing 67 missions in P-51s, 35 missions in F-80s and 121 missions in F-86s.
In addition to being the Korean War's only navy ace, he was the only night ace and the only American ace to do so flying a piston engined aircraft, the F4U Corsair. [3] Bordelon, nicknamed "Lucky Pierre", was credited with three Lavochkin La-9s or La-11s , and two Yak-18s between 29 June and 16/17 July 1952.